"The national satellites which were unveiled today will be sent
into space by Simorgh satellite carrier," Iranian Defense
Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi told reporters here in
Tehran today, referring to two hi-tech satellites, namely
'Tolou' (Rise) and 'Mesbah' (Lantern), which are reportedly the
new generation of Iran-made satellites. He also declared that
the country plans to send heavy satellites into higher altitudes
in future. Iran on Wednesday unveiled a new home-made satellite
carrier capable of carrying 60-kilogram (132-pound) satellites
500 kilometers (310 miles) into orbit. The satellite carrier
named 'Simorgh' utilizes a new generation of liquid-fuel engines
to put satellites in orbit. The milk-bottle shaped rocket,
emblazoned in blue with the words "Satellite Carrier Simorgh,"
is equipped to carry a 60-kilogram (132-pound) satellite 500
kilometers (310 miles) into orbit. The 27-meter (90-foot) tall
multi-stage rocket weighs 85 tons and its liquid fuel propulsion
system has a thrust of up