Iran successfully launches bio-space capsule

Salman launcher is also built by the Aerospace Industries Organization (AIO) of Iran's defense ministry. Despite sanctions imposed by Western countries in recent years, Iran has managed to take giant strides in its civilian space program. Iran sent its first bio-capsule containing living creatures into space in February 2010, using a Kavoshgar (Explorer) carrier. Iran is among the top 10 countries leading the space industry and among the 7 leading the bio-space.