Tehran, Jan 25, IRNA � Iran is due to launch a new satellite (Simorgh) in February during ceremonies to mark the 37th victory anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, Minister of Defense Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan was quoted as saying by a senior lawmaker Mohammad Asafari.


Speaking with IRNA, Asafari, a member of Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, said that the defense minister made the remarks during his presence at a commission session on Monday.
Simorgh satellite will be put into orbit 500 km away from the earth, according to the defense minister.

Dehghan said that the new satellite will go twice far from the earth in comparison to the previously launched satellites which he said is a major step in Iran's defensive capabilities.

By IRNA