Iran Tests Sounding Rocket And Unveils First Homemade Satellite

Tehran (RIA Novosti) Feb 05, 2008 - Iran successfully launched on Monday a sounding rocket as a preliminary step toward sending its first homemade research satellite into orbit, national media said. Iran's state television earlier reported that Iranian scientists had built the Omid (Hope) research satellite under a project that took 10 years to complete. The satellite was unveiled on Monday during an official ceremony and may be ... more

http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Iran_Iran_Tests_Sounding_Rocket_And_Unveils_First_Homemade_Satellite_999.html

Iran opens its first space centre, riling the US

Tehran (AFP) Feb 4, 2008 - Iran on Monday fired a rocket into space to mark the opening of its first space centre, triggering swift condemnation from the United States amid continued tensions over the Iranian nuclear drive. The space centre, located in the remote desert of western Iran, will be used to launch Iran's first home-produced satellite "Omid" (Hope) in May or June this year, officials said. ... more

http://www.space-travel.com/reports/Iran_opens_its_first_space_centre_riling_the_US_999.html