DM Lauds launch of home-made navid satellite into orbit

Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi on Sunday praised the Iranian scientists for their ability to send another domestically-made satellite into orbit. Addressing personnel of Aviation Industries Organization, the Iranian minister said that successful launch of Navid satellite was manifestation of creativity, self-reliance, wisdom and God seeking characteristics of Iranian scientists. He further said that the success belongs to all world Muslims. On Friday, Iran successfully sent Navid-e Elm-o Sana'at satellite into orbit. The 50-kilogram orbiter lifted off into space with an orbital angle of 55 degrees on the Iranian-made Safir satellite-carrier. Iran has already sent small animals into space - a rat, turtles and worms - aboard a capsule carried by its Kavoshgar-3 rocket in 2010. The Islamic republic, which first put a satellite into orbit in 2009, has outlined an ambitious space program and has, thus far, made giant progress in the field despite western sanctions and pressures against its advancement. Meantime, Head of Iran's Space Agency (ISA) Hamid Fazeli said that Iran plans to set up a national base for satellite launch. Fazeli said that the base will be set up with the cooperation of the country's Defense Ministry.