Iran is readying to launch an experimental observation satellite later this month, Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi said, according to Fars News Agency.
Vahidi had earlier informed that Iran intends to send Fajr satellite into orbit in the near future, and he told reporters on Monday, May 14 that the satellite would launch in less than two weeks now.
"The Fajr satellite will be launched on Khordad 3 (May 23)," the director of the Aerospace Industries Mehdi Farahi said.
It will be the fourth satellite sent into space since 2009 by Iran.
The UN Security Council has imposed on Iran an almost total embargo on space technologies since 2007.
The Fajr (Dawn) satellite was presented by the Iranian officials as "an observation and measurement" satellite weighing 50 kilos (110 pounds), built by Sa-Iran, a company affiliated to the defense ministry.
Fajr, which is equipped with solar panels, has an expected life of 18 months, longer than the three previous observation equipment or experimental communications satellite already put into orbit by Iran.
