Iran tests satellite launch with live animals payload

Iran hailed yesterday the successful launch of a home-built satellite carrying a rat, turtles and worms, amid Western concerns Tehran is using its nuclear and space industries to develop atomic and ballistic weapons.

Iranian state television said the Kavoshgar 3 (Explorer) rocket carried a capsule containing "live animals" – marking Iran's first experiment in sending living creatures into space. Television footage showed a white rat on its back in a container with tubes protruding from its mouth. Two other containers contained respectively several dark worms and small turtles.

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