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Media outlets said Tuesday, the satellite - named Hope - was put into orbit late Monday by an Iran-made Safir satellite carrier.
Officials launched the satellite as Iran marks the 30th anniversary of the Islamic revolution this month.
Iran has long held the goal of developing a space program, generating unease among world leaders already concerned about its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
The West fears the technology used to launch a space rocket could be diverted into development of long-range ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
Western leaders have said Iran is trying to build a nuclear weapon. Iran says its nuclear capabilities are only for peaceful purposes.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
By VOA News, Italic sentence in the first paragraph is taken from YouTube.
Posted February 3rd, 2009 by Armen Hareyan
