Iran Banknotes To Carry Omid Satellite

Quote:
Iran banknotes to carry Omid satellite
Sun, 22 Feb 2009 06:38:26 GMT
The logo of Omid, Iran's first domestically-built satellite, is to be featured on coins and banknotes, according to a cabinet decision.



The Iranian Cabinet approved the proposal presented by the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) to issue coins and banknotes with the logo of Omid Satellite.

On February 3, Tehran placed its indigenous satellite into orbit -- joining an elite group of countries capable of both producing satellites and sending them into space using domestic launchers.

Omid is a research satellite that has been designed for gathering information and testing equipment. After orbiting for one to three months, Omid will return to earth with data that will help Iranian experts send an operational satellite into space.

The lightweight telecommunications satellite is equipped with remote sensing, satellite telemetry and geographic information system technology as well as remote and ground station data processing.

The new design is to reflect the country's aerospace achievement.

Iran is slated to launch three more satellites by 2010 and is taking initial steps toward launching a manned space mission, according to the head of Iran's space organization, Reza Taghipour.

NAT/DT
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