TEHRAN // Iran said it is considering sending a cat into space as the next animal astronaut after claims of launching a monkey earlier this year.
The effort is part of Iranian ambitions to send a human into space by 2018, but questions have been raised about the reported successes of Iran’s animal missions.
Today’s report by the official IRNA news agency quotes space official Mohammad Ebrahimi as saying the next animal could be the distinctive Persian cat, a longhair, flat-faced breed.
No other details were given.
In February, Iran insisted it successful sent a monkey outside earth’s atmosphere and returned it safely. But photos raised international questions about whether the same animal was shown in pre- and post-launch images.
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By Michael Wolff,
Henry Holt
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
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Price, base / as tested From Dh173,775 (base model)
Engine 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo, AWD
Power 249hp at 5,500rpm
Torque 365Nm at 1,300-4,500rpm
Gearbox Nine-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined 7.9L/100km
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