Iran Launches Rocket Into Space (Reuters)

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Iranian advances in building missiles capable of reaching space are watched closely by the West because the same technology could be used to build intercontinental ballistic missiles.

TEHRAN (Reuters) -- Iran has launched a sub-orbital rocket for scientific research not a missile capable of reaching space as earlier reported, an aerospace official told an Iranian news agency Sunday.

Ali Akbar Golrou, the executive deputy of Iran's aerospace research center, told Fars News Agency the rocket would not stay in orbit but could rise to about 150 km (94 miles) into atmosphere before falling to earth by parachute.

State television's Web site had earlier quoted the head of the aerospace research center, Mohsen Bahrami, as saying Iran had fired a missile able to reach space.

Iranian advances in building missiles capable of reaching space are watched closely by the West because the same technology could be used to build intercontinental ballistic missiles.