Iran "failed" to launch monkey into space

When Iran announced earlier this year that it was planning on shooting a monkey into space with one of its Kavoshgar-5 rockets, Western officials were worried that the Islamic Republic was really just testing its own ability to create long-range ballistic missiles.

Fortunately for those same Western officials, Iran "failed" recently to send a rhesus monkey into Earth's orbit, according to Agence France Presse.

"The launch was not publicized as all of its anticipated objectives were not accomplished," Deputy Science Minister Mohammad Mehdinejad-Nouri was quoted as saying by the ISNA news agency.

On October 3, Iran indefinitely postponed plans to send a live monkey into space, without giving any reasons, AFP reports. Iran has already sent small animals into space -- a rat, turtles and worms -- aboard a capsule carried by its Kavoshgar-3 rocket in 2010.

The recent failed project was supposed to launch a capsule with life support using the Kavoshgar-5 rocket to an altitude of 75 miles for a 20-minute sub-orbital flight, AFP reports.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced in 2010 that his country plans on putting a man into space by 2017, Al Arabiya reports.

U.S. space entrepreneur accused of helping Iran
Iran: Space monkey next step in rocket program

[th9876]

I don't think this is funny at all. Using an innocent animal this way terrifying it this way is cruel. I don't see the point in this - I wish they'd just shoot themselves up.

[Robert_M1]

The Tea Party has many great candidates for this space trip.

[Bojax39]

"Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced in 2010 that his country plans on putting a man into space by 2017"



Notice he said nothing about getting the guy back down? :-)

[coriolana]

The monkey insisted on getting his 72 virgins ahead of time.

[nomoregovt]

maybe they should try launching the ayotolla, he's a monkey only bigger.

[Keywestcraig]

Launch Mahmoud Ahmadinejad next time.

[Bojax39]

One monkey launch deserves another ;-)

[skithebumps]

For his treason the monkey will be shot at dawn.

[rwsmith29456]

Lucky monkey.

[___One_American_______]

I say load Ahmadinejad in a Roman catapult.

Space monkey, accomplished.

[pakire]

The monkey's as big as the rocket. It won't fit. There's your problem. :D