Iran successfully launched another domestically manufactured satellite into space on the second day of the national celebrations marking the 36th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
The "Fajr" (literally meaning Dawn) is the fourth homemade satellite which is put into orbit.
The satellite was developed by Iranian experts at Iran Electronics Industries, known as SAIRAN. It is said to be a reconnaissance satellite powered by solar energy and will transmit images of the Earth's surface to ground stations.
President Hassan Rouhani who was present at the launching ceremony said, "Iranian scientists have entered a new phase of space sciences," adding that his administration is "determined to contribute to this progress," IRNA reported.
The president expressed hope that in the future Iranian scientists would make greater strides in the aerospace industry.
Defense Minister Hossein Dehqan also said the launch of the Fajr satellite is "another indicator of the country's flourishing scientific growth in advanced technologies."
In July last year Iranian Space Agency (ISA) formulated a 10-year strategic plan, which covers three main sections, including sending humans as well as telecommunications and remote sensing satellites into space.
Iran launched its first domestically built satellite, the Omid (Hope), into orbit in 2009. The country also sent its first bio-capsule containing living creatures into space in February 2010, using Kavoshgar-3 (Explorer-3) carrier.
Iran is one of the 24 founding members of the United Nations' Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, which was set up in 1959.
