Iran Returns To Darkest Days Of Space Race

[Raistlin]

Iran’s claim to have sent a monkey into space harks back to the ‘darkest days’ of the ‘wasteful and cruel mistakes’ of the space race, campaigners have claimed.

Peta (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) said it was ‘appalled’ by the photos of the ‘visibly terrified monkey’ that ran on Iranian state TV.

The pictures showed a small monkey being strapped into a pod resembling a baby’s car seat in scenes reminiscent of the early years of the space race in the 1950s.

Iran is hoping to develop a manned spaceflight programme

Back then both the US and Soviet Union used live animals in space tests, but many of the monkeys used by Nasa and dogs by Moscow perished due to faulty equipment or the technology of the time being unable to cope with the stress of re-entry.

Al-Alam and other Iranian news agencies however claimed that the monkey returned to Earth alive after a sub-orbital flight that saw the Kavoshgar (Explorer) rocket reach a height of 120km (75 miles).

In 2010 Iran launched a rocket into space with a mouse, turtle and worms on board, while a year later a failed attempt was made to send a monkey into space.

The launches are a precursor to a hoped-for manned space flight programme, but the west is concerned the technology could be adapted to develop nuclear-armed warheads.

Campaigners criticised the use of live animals in spaceflight

‘This success is the first step towards man conquering space and it paves the way for other moves,’ said Iranian defence minister Ahmad Vahidi.

‘Today’s successful launch follows previous successes we had in launching probes with other living creatures.’

Iran has been lumbered with strict nuclear and space technology sanctions from the United Nations Security Council since 2007.

Tehran insists its uranium enrichment facilities are only for peaceful, energy-related, purposes.