Iran’s space program reportedly launched its second monkey into space on a 15-minute flight on Saturday (Dec. 14).
Reports from the Islamic Republic News Agency said the ballistic flight reached as high as 75 miles (120 kilometers). That’s just beyond the Karman line of 62 miles (100 kilometers) that many authorities cite as the boundary of space.
“The President said that thank God, Iranian astronauts launched into the space the second monkey, Fargam, on the first day of the Week of Research, the ‘Pajouhesh’ explorer and landed in full safety and health,” read a dispatch on IRNA, which is the official state agency in Iran.
The launch has not been verified outside of Iran. In January, the country announced the launch of a first monkey, Pishgam (which means “Pioneer” in Farsi).
The United States, Soviet Union and France sent primates themselves into space in the 1960s, many of which did not survive the trip. “Ham” is among the most famous monkey space voyagers; the U.S. chimp launched into space and landed safely on Jan. 31, 1961, a few months before astronaut Al Shepard became the first American person in space that May.
How much are they paying him?
Hmm.. Sci-Fi short story?
NEWSFLASH! The seven lunar colonies have delivered written intentions to the General Assembly of Nations in Beijing that they are leaving the Union immediately. Riots broke out within hours around the major banking and investment concerns centered on Wall Street. Several air cars removing top executives were destroyed when protesters launched dozens of shoulder launched AAM’s. This after the colonies declared privatization of earth controlled assets which are now subject to possible Colonial review and confiscation resulting from the Lunar District Court decision that funds collected as reparation for excessive tax burdening are legal. These actions are immanent and is thought to have caused collapsing revenue and stock pricing expectations…. leading to the riots.
Addendum: The Iranian colony continues to lead the succession movement strongly backed by the North American contingent.
Obviously.. I’ve been reading too much Issac Asimov looking for a foundation?
That was no monkey; that was really Ahmadinnerjacket!