The U.S. has long been suspicious of Iran's space program because the same technology can be used to develop long-range missiles.

Iran said Wednesday it sent a capsule into orbit capable of carrying animals as it prepares for human missions in coming years.

Iran has launched a capsule designed to carry living beings in a step towards sending astronauts into space, state media reported Wednesday -- the latest test of aerospace technology criticised by the West.The capsule was successfully sent up to a height of 130 kilometres (80 miles), the IRNA news agency quoted Telecommunications Minister Issa Zarepour as saying.He said the launch of the 500-kilo capsule on a new class of domestically built space rocket named "Salman" could pave the way for a human spaceflight.

TEHRAN, Iran: Iran said Wednesday it sent a capsule into orbit carrying animals as it prepares for human missions in coming years.A report by the official IRNA news agency quoted Telecommunications Minister Isa Zarepour as saying the capsule was launched 130 kilometers (80 miles) into orbit.Zarepour said the launch of the 500-kilogram (1,000-pound) capsule is aimed at sending