Iran Plans to Send Man into Space by 2019

As first announced in 2008,  Iran recently shared its ambitious plans to send man into orbit by 2019.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad made the announcement on Iran’s state run Press TV program proclaiming the program is being sped up in response to the sanctions levied against Iran by the United States and her allies.  Iran is experimenting with various advancements of its Shahab missile technology and is set to launch the Rasad 1 satellite before the end of the Pesian year.

Over the last five years, Iran has set aside roughly half a billion dollars for its space agency.  Iran started with sub-orbital tests overcoming early test failures.  With several satellites scheduled to launch in the near future, Iran continues to receive negative speculation regarding the true intentions of its space program.

Above: Footage of the 2009 Omid satellite launch.

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