Intelligence Minister: Ground Paved for More Space Progress after Monday Launch

Iranian Intelligence Minister Seyed Mahmoud Alawi said the country’s success in launching another satellite into orbit has paved the way for making further advances in aerospace technology.
“Sending the Fajr satellite into orbit has prepared the ground for Iran’s enhancement and progress in the space sector,” Alawi said, addressing a group of people in the Western Ilam province today.

Elsewhere, the minister pointed to the plots hatched by the enemies against Iran, and said, “We are monitoring all enemies’ (movements and) plots in the region and we will nip them in the bud.”

The Fajr satellite was sent into the orbit on the back of the home-made Safir-e Fajr launcher on Monday.

After ordering its launching, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the country had ushered into a new era of aerospace technology by sending a new home-made satellite into orbit.

“The prominent Iranian scientists and thinkers have entered a new stage in area of space sciences,” Rouhani said after Iran launched its home-made Fajr satellite into orbit.

“The government is determined to continue the path of national progress and God willing, we will reach a stage in the coming when all the country’s needs in the space field will be met by the hands of the powerful Iranian scientists and based on indigenized technology,” he added.

In relevant remarks yesterday, Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan congratulated the Iranian government and nation on the successful launch and orbiting of the satellite.

The fully home-grown satellite which has been built by experts at the defense ministry’s Aerospace Industries Organization proves the Islamic Republic of Iran’s high capabilities to launch satellites into orbit, General Dehqan said.

“It is also another indicator of the country’s flourishing scientific growth in the state-of-the-art technologies,” he added.