Iran launched a rocket today designed to carry its first locally made research satellite next year.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad read out the launch countdown before it blasted off to chants of "God is greatest" by an audience of officials in a control room, state TV reported.
The technology used to put satellites into space could also be used for launching weapons.
State media said the research satellite, called Omid (hope), would be launched by March 2009.
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The United States called the rocket test "unfortunate" and said it would only further isolate Tehran from the international community.
The West fears Iran is trying to master nuclear technology so it can build bombs, but Iran insists its plans are peaceful.