Posted: Fri, Jan 26, 2007, 7:18 AM ET (1218 GMT)
Iran is planning to launch a small satellite using an indigenous booster in the near future, according to a report by Aviation Week magazine on Thursday. The launch vehicle is expected to be a derivative of Iran's Shahab 3 medium-range booster, although the size and nature of the satellite to be launched was not identified in the report. Iran is expected to use the launch to help develop larger vehicles that would allow the country to launch small reconnaissance satellites similar to Israel's Ofeq series of spacecraft, as well as long-range missiles.

Related Links:

•  Aviation Week article