TEHRAN (Reuters) - A rocket Iran launched into orbit this month to prepare for putting a domestically made research satellite into space has successfully sent scientific data back to Earth, state media reported on Sunday.
Iran, embroiled in a standoff with the West over Tehran'sdisputed nuclear ambitions, sparked international concern onFebruary 4 by conducting the test of a rocket designed to carrya satellite into space within months.
"Iran's recently launched research rocket has successfullytransmitted scientific data back to the country," statetelevision said, adding the rocket sent the information afterreaching orbit.
The technology used to put satellites into space could alsobe used for launching weapons, analysts say, and both theUnited States and Russia have expressed concern about therocket test.
Washington reacted by saying Tehran's missile-testing wasunfortunate. Moscow said the launch raised the suspicion Iranwas seeking nuclear weapons, an allegation that Tehran denies.
France said the rocket was in fact a missile that cannotnavigate in space, adding to concerns that the technology isaimed at making weapons.
Iranian officials have dismissed such concerns, stressingthe satellite project's research focus without giving details.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad last week said Iran wouldcarry out two more rocket tests to prepare for the real launch,which he said was expected in a few months.
The West fears Tehran is covertly trying to obtain nuclearbombs. Iran, the world's fourth-largest oil producer, says itneeds nuclear energy to meet booming electricity demand.
World powers including the United States, France and Russiaare negotiating a third round of U.N. sanctions against Iranfor failing to heed demands to suspend sensitive technologysuch as uranium enrichment, a process that can produce fuel forpower plants or, potentially, bombs.
Iran launched its first satellite, Sina-1, into orbit froma Russian rocket in 2005.
(Writing by Fredrik Dahl; Editing by Mary Gabriel)
