Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says the Islamic Republic has plans to launch its first shuttle into the space by 2019.
Ahmadinejad made the announcement on Friday at the closing ceremony of the National Festival of Iranian Youth, according to Press TV. He also said Iran's Sanjesh Satellite would be launched from an Iranian launch pad and controlled by an Iranian control station.
The president added that the project of sending man into space was originally planned to take place in 2035, but the launch date was reviewed in a cabinet meeting this week.
"In response to the enemy's (the United Nations Security Council) resolutions, it was decided that the project be pushed forward by five years," he said.
/Press TV/