Selection of the first Iranian astronaut in 2013-14

The head of Iran Space Research Institute of Astronautical Systems reported the selection of Iran’s first astronaut in 2013 to 2014.
Dr. Mohammad Ebrahimi described the details of national plans to send first astronauts into space and said: “in section 9 of national action having a comprehensive scientific plan for pursuing technology for sending human into space is stressed.”

Recently a comprehensive document for development of Iran Aerospace technology has been approved and communicated.

He motioned that there are only three countries now, the US. Russia, and China who has managed to send a man into space, and said: “gaining
power and being in the same club as space powers of the world, is creating a national pride and shows our scientific progress.”

He added: “And it will leverage deterrence against threats of access to scientific and technological capacity to meet the needs of our country. The use of space resources including the project to send a man into space is one of those goals.”

The head of Iran Space Research Institute of Astronautical Systems referring to the overall objectives of the national plan to send astronauts into space said: “the project to send humans into space in the Iranian Space Agency is defined in two phases.

In the initial phase, to fly up to 200 Km, for about 15 to 30 minutes sub-orbital flight, and in the second phase of the space flight we will place astronauts into orbit.”