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IRAN’S FIRST ZOHREH “IN TWO YEARS”

By Staff Writer | June 6, 2001

      A Tehran news agency has reported that Iran will launch Zohreh, its Russian-built communications satellite, within two years. The agency quoted university professor Mehran Mirshams as saying that the Zohreh [Venus] satellite will be used for sending radio, television and telephone signals. He also said that Russia would launch the craft, reportedly the first of six such satellites. Russia won the tender offered by Iran for the manufacture of the satellite after India pulled out of the bid, citing technical reasons for its decision. The total cost of the project, for which France and China also competed, is estimated at $300 million (E354 million). Once completed, the satellites will be positioned at 26, 34, 41, 47, 59 and 61.5 degrees East.