Iran puts mouse and worms into space

Feb 03, 2010

Tehran, Feb. 3: Iran announced on Wednesday it has successfully launched a research rocket carrying a mouse, two turtles and worms into space — a feat President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said showed Iran could defeat the West in the battle of technology.

Mr Ahmadinejad also unveiled the model of a light booster rocket that is being built and three new, Iranian-built satellites.

The Iranian space programme has worried Western powers, which fear the same technology could also be used to build long-range ICBMs.

A US defence expert said there was no scientific purpose to launching such animals into space and that the launch was likely more aimed at boosting Iran’s prestige. —AP

Ali Akbar Dareini

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