Iran will postpone indefinitely the project of bringing monkeys to space

Iran on October 3 announced an indefinite postponement of a project to bring monkeys to space, which was originally expected to be done at the end of the summer and to prepare people for space.

Iranian state television website quoted Hamid Fazeli, head of the Iranian Space Agency, saying: "It is impossible to give an accurate time to implement this project. As soon as scientists of We announce they are ready, we will announce this. " Mr. Fazeli also gave no explanation for the postponement of the project.

Last June, Mr. Fazeli said Iran planned to bring a monkey to life in space in July. Mr. Fazeli said that five monkeys are undergoing tests before one is chosen to be put on space on a Kavoshgar-5 rocket.

According to Mr. Fazeli, the introduction of large animals into the universe is the first step towards the goal of bringing people to space in Iran, expected in 2020. Before that, Iran used to bring small animals such as mice, turtles and worms. Go to space with Kavoshgar-3 rocket in 2010.

Mr. Fazeli also announced a delay in bringing Fajr reconnaissance satellite to orbit. The satellite is expected to operate at a height of 400km in about 1.5 years. Iran also plans to launch four homemade satellites on Earth orbit before March 2012.