A monkey was blasted into space for the second time -- and brought back safely -- according to the Iranian Space Agency.
An Iranian news channel showed a rocket stationed at an unknown location and a Rhesus monkey in a cage.
Footage shows the rocket launch into space, reportedly with the monkey on board.
Deputy Head of the Iranian Space Agency, Hamid Fazeli:
(SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) DEPUTY HEAD OF THE IRANIAN SPACE AGENCY, HAMID FAZELI, SAYING:
"Currently the second live Iranian space monkey, named 'Fargam', was launched and reached a height of 120 kilometers and it has been recovered successfully. The images that were transmitted to us online monitored all the information regarding his physical condition, his well being, his vital signs."
This latest demonstration of rocket power is likely to cause concern in the West and among some Gulf states, who are worried about Iran's nuclear ambitions.
