Iran's Intelligence Minister Seyed Mahmoud Alavi has said Iran's success in launching another satellite into orbit has paved the way for making further advances in aerospace technology, the Islamic Republic's official IRNA news agency reported Feb. 5.
"Sending the Fajr satellite into orbit has prepared the ground for Iran's enhancement and progress in the space sector," Alavi said, addressing a group of people in the country's western Ilam province.
Elsewhere, the minister pointed to the plots hatched by the enemies against Iran, and said, "we are monitoring all enemies' (movements and) plots in the region and we will nip them in the bud."
The Fajr satellite was sent into the orbit on the back of the home-made Safir-e Fajr launcher on Feb. 2.
After ordering its launching, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the country had ushered into a new era of aerospace technology by sending a new home-made satellite into orbit.
"The government is determined to continue the path of national progress and we will reach a stage in the coming when all the country's needs in the space field will be met by Iranian scientists and based on indigenized technology," he added.