The head of the Iranian Space Organization Reza Taghipour stated that Iran would send its first astronaut to space within the following decade and that by 2021 it would “become the leading space power in the region." Earlier in the week, Iran had announced its plans to send into orbit several domestic satellites by 20101.

The Iranian state news agency IRNA reported on August 24 that an Iranian carrier rocket, Safir (Ambassador/Messenger) had successfully orbited the country's first domestically-built satellite, Omid (Hope). The satellite would aid natural disaster management programs and improve telecommunications. Taghipour earlier stressed that Iran's missile and space technology was developed without any foreign assistance2.

• 1. “Iran to send first astronaut to space in ten years,” August 21, 2008, at http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90781/90876/6482211.html
• 2. “Iran To Send First Astronaut Into Space Within 10 Years,” August 21, 2008, at http://www.space-travel.com/reports/Iran_To_Send_First_Astronaut_Into_Sp...