Iran is claiming to have successfully launched a monkey into space and brought it back alive, according to Iranian state television.
Iranian television says the craft carrying the monkey reached 72 miles above the Earth before safely returning, as reported by Time. Here's a picture of the monkey, via Mahir Zeynalov:
The Iranian astronaut monkey. twitter.com/MahirZeynalov/…— Mahir Zeynalov (@MahirZeynalov) January 28, 2013
Iran's previous space-borne animal cargo has included a mouse, a turtle and worms.
The American and Soviet space programs experimented in their infancy with sending animals to space to test if the venture would be safe for humans. Albert I, a Rhesus monkey launched by the United States in a V-2 rocket, became the first monkey in space in 1948, but he suffocated during flight. Albert II was launched in 1949. He survived his trip but later died in a parachute accident. Laika, a Soviet dog, became the first animal to orbit Earth in 1957.
The United States fears that Iran's space program may be a veiled method of experimenting with intercontinental ballistic missiles and other military technology.
North Korea recently launched a satellite into orbit, later saying missile and nuclear tests would continue despite U.S.-backed United Nations sanctions.