Iran launched the first ever locally manufactured satellite "Omid" (Hope) to the outer orbit aboard the Iranian missile Safir ( Ambassador). The satellite launching was attended by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iranian Media reported. Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics said Iran's `Safir' (Ambassador) satellite-carrier rocket, carrying Iran's first `Omid' (Hope) Satellite, was successfully launched into the space tentatively on Sunday. Iran's news agency "IRNA" quoted the Ministry statement as saying that the launch thus paved the way for placing the first Iranian satellite into orbit. "Such a test is designed to ascertain the performance of rocket carrying the satellite, and sending information systems to Central Station and ground stations, remote control satellite location center," it added.
