Article Posted on : - Jul 08, 2010

Iran's first satellite Omid was launced on board an indigenous rocket in 2009. A file photo

TEHRAN (BNS): Iran is preparing to send a telecommunications satellite to space next month, according to a media report.

The Rasad 1 observation satellite is scheduled to be launched �on the back of a domestic carrier during Government Week (August 24-30),� Iran's telecommunications minister Reza Taqipour was quoted as saying by the Mehr news agency on Wednesday.

The country also has plans to launch data and image transmission satellites the details of which will be announced soon, the minister said.

�The satellites, which will be sent into space this (Iranian calendar) year, have telecommunications and filming applications,� Taqipour added.

Iran had launched its first indigenously-built satellite �Omid� (Hope) using a domestic rocket in February, 2009. The satellite was designed for gathering information and testing equipment. It completed the mission after staying in orbit for over a month.