Ahmadinejad wants to be Iran's first astronaut
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Monday that he's ready to take the risk of being the first Iranian astronaut sent into space as part of Iran's goal of a manned space flight.
"I'm ready to be the first Iranian to sacrifice myself for our country's scientists," the official IRNA news agency quoted him as saying in an address to space scientists in Tehran.
Space tourist Anousheh Ansari was the first Iranian to make a journey into space aboard a Soyuz TMA-9 capsule from Baikonur, Kazakhastan, in September 2006. The 40-year-old telecommunications entrepreneur paid a reported $20 million for a space station visit. Her journey became an inspiration to women in male-dominated Iran.
Iran sent a monkey into space last Monday, describing the launch a successful step toward Tehran's plan to send an astronaut into space within the next five to six years. The monkey named "Pishgam," which means pioneer in Farsi, reportedly traveled 120 kilometers (72 miles) and safely returned to Earth.
In 2010, Iran said it launched an Explorer rocket into space carrying a mouse, a turtle and worms.
Iran's space officials say Iran will launch a bigger rocket carrying a larger animal to obtain greater safety assurances before sending a man into space.
Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi said Iran will soon send a satellite into space from its Imam Khomeini space center, which is still under construction.
The news agency didn't elaborate and did not disclose the location of the space center, but Iran already has a major satellite launch complex near Semnan, about 200 kilometers (125 miles) east of Tehran. A satellite monitoring facility is located outside Mahdasht, about 70 kilometers (40 miles) west of the Iranian capital.
Iran says it wants to put its own satellites into orbit to monitor natural disasters in the earthquake-prone nation, improve telecommunications and expand military surveillance in the region.
"I'm ready to be the first Iranian to sacrifice myself for our country's scientists," the official IRNA news agency quoted him as saying in an address to space scientists in Tehran.
Space tourist Anousheh Ansari was the first Iranian to make a journey into space aboard a Soyuz TMA-9 capsule from Baikonur, Kazakhastan, in September 2006. The 40-year-old telecommunications entrepreneur paid a reported $20 million for a space station visit. Her journey became an inspiration to women in male-dominated Iran.
Iran sent a monkey into space last Monday, describing the launch a successful step toward Tehran's plan to send an astronaut into space within the next five to six years. The monkey named "Pishgam," which means pioneer in Farsi, reportedly traveled 120 kilometers (72 miles) and safely returned to Earth.
In 2010, Iran said it launched an Explorer rocket into space carrying a mouse, a turtle and worms.
Iran's space officials say Iran will launch a bigger rocket carrying a larger animal to obtain greater safety assurances before sending a man into space.
Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi said Iran will soon send a satellite into space from its Imam Khomeini space center, which is still under construction.
The news agency didn't elaborate and did not disclose the location of the space center, but Iran already has a major satellite launch complex near Semnan, about 200 kilometers (125 miles) east of Tehran. A satellite monitoring facility is located outside Mahdasht, about 70 kilometers (40 miles) west of the Iranian capital.
Iran says it wants to put its own satellites into orbit to monitor natural disasters in the earthquake-prone nation, improve telecommunications and expand military surveillance in the region.
I thought they had already sent a monkey into space.
He'd make a better satellite in orbit! LOL
I'm all for it. If they leave the balsa wood off the bottom of the capsule...
Now, that would take a hugh sling-shot to get him up there into orbit!
Great news! The Great Ahmedinajad is so full of it, he'd make a great asstronaut who will leave a large brown stain when his rocket doesn't reach escape velocity. He will be the Great Ahmedidntescape! Â Â
 @jpk But if we send him to the Sun, we can designate him as the worlds first Asstonot! (cause he wouldn't make it back ;P)
Yes! Send him on a one way trip.. out of the known solar system!
 @Khre'Riov Ael i-Mhiessan t'Rllaillieu I'd prefer to see him on direct course for the sun...
 @Liberty4_WA I'm in!
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Can we designate him him the worlds first Asstonot?
Launching that monkey into space is the best idea that the Persians have produced since Algebra. DO IT! DO IT!
...and the difference between a satellite or orbital vehicle carrying booster, and a booster that would carry... I dunno, say an nuclear weapon, would be? Suddenly, these concerns about Iran developing nuclear weapons becomes less about 'over there', and more in our own back yard.Â
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Seriously, Iran and Israel are headed at mach 3 on an intercept course towards each other, and nobody seems able or willing to stop it.Â
Not just Israel on this intercept course. It's the whole free world he not only intends to intercept but do away with. All in the name of religious peace, of course!
 @jpk True. The major difference being that Israel has shown that they actually intend to do something, as opposed to asking that the UN put a sternly written reprimand in Ahmadinejads personel file.Â
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Hubris and ego demand that Ahmadinejad and the mullahs respond to Israel with like force instead of just laughing over tea about the UNs demands. Â
Is there enough room to send all of them?
I'd like to push the button that sends this nut job into space. Â Return trip optional.
Why not? He already looks like "Pishgam" the monkey....plus the monkey appears better suited to run Iran.
Just sayin'......
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A monkey, a mouse, a turtle, a worm, and Ahmadinejad. Sounds about right (my apologies to the monkey, mouse, turtle, and worm).
First, bring him back to Earth, then launch him for good.
An excellent idea, given their record.
Can they strap him on the outside of the rocket?
Nope, couldn't do that; his toupee would fly off and be shot down by Iranian anti-aircraft weapons.
Window seat. Sans window.
I bet there is no shortage of those that would be willing to help him. . . . ;-)