Iran's space monkey won't make it into space

Iran has acknowledged that its attempt to send a live monkey into space has turned out to be a failure.

"The Kavoshgar-5 rocket carrying a capsule with a live animal (a monkey) was launched during Shahrivar (an Iranian calendar month spanning August 23 to September 22)," the Telegraph quoted Deputy Science Minister Mohammad Mehdinejad-Nouri, as saying.

"However, the launch was not publicised as all of its anticipated objectives were not accomplished," he added. He said the launch of a live animal into space was "strategic, and a priority," and expressed hope that future launches would attain more of the objectives set.

On October 3, Iran postponed plans to send a live monkey into space, without giving any reasons.

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"One cannot give a set date for this project and as soon as our nation's scientists announce the readiness (of the project) it will be announced," said Hamid Fazeli, head of Iran''s Space Organisation.

The project, unveiled in February by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, envisaged launching a capsule with life support using the Kavoshgar-5 rocket to an altitude of 120 kilometres (75 miles) for a 20-minute suborbital flight.

Meanwhile, Iran has already sent small animals into space, a rat, turtles and worms, aboard a capsule carried by its Kavoshgar-3 rocket in 2010.