Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad inaugurated the country's first home-built space center which will serve as a base for the launch of research satellites.
The space center includes a research satellite called Omid (Hope), an underground control station and space launchpad, the official news agency reported.
"Omid Satellite is the Islamic republic's first locally-made satellite which will be set at a low orbit," IRNA said adding that it would be launched in the next Iranian calendar year which begins on 20th March.
The space center was to be opened by shooting a probe rocket into space, state television said.
Iran successfully tested its first space rocket in February 2005.
The Iranian launcher is based on the Shahab 3 missile, which has a range of 1,300-1,600 kilometers.
Source: DDNEWS
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