After a successful space mission already under their belt the Islamic Republic of Iran is planning on sending a second monkey into space, Press TV reported.
In January, the Iran Space Agency (ISA) sent a monkey into space in a bio-capsule codenamed "Pishgam," or "Pioneer." The move was meant to be a test run before sending humans into space and the first mission has already returned the monkey safely to Earth.
Hamid Fazeli, Deputy Head of the ISA, announced the second mission with a monkey onboard, but also said the next phase of the plan included a different species. He also said the animal will be ready for liftoff by next month.
According to News 24, Iran's first successful mission involving a live monkey was disputed after reportedly presenting a different monkey upon return. It is unknown what happened to the monkey sent into space.
"The second live animal will be ready within a month to be sent into space," he told Jomhuri Eslami.
Iran plans to continue its growing space program, getting closer and closer to send human astronauts into space. In 2009, it launched its first indigenous satellite, named "Omid" ("Hope"). They also launched their first bio-capsule in Feb. 2010 carrying live creatures using the Kavoshgar-3 (Explorer-3) carrier. Then, in 2011, the ISA launched the Rasad (Observation) orbiter into space to capture images of Earth and transmit them to ground control along with telemetry information.
Iran's space growth has also caused concern for some Western governments, News 24 reported. The country has denied any allegations that they are developing their space exploration program for the use of nuclear weapons.
Organized in 1959, Iran is one of the 24 founding members of the United Nation's Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.
The second monkey mission could be delayed, however, due to budget problems. Akbar Torkan, interim ISA chief, said the low national revenue would likely cause the agency to push back the launch further.
Still, Fazeli is confident in his hope to launch three new satellites before the end of the Iranian year, in March 2014.
