Death Toll Confirmed at 91 After Monstrous Oklahoma Tornado…233+ Injured…Many Children Among Dead…Some Drowned…Heartbreaking Pictures…Reporter Struggles to Share Terrible News

Watch Live: Continuing Coverage of Oklahoma Tornado Aftermath

Science

The Picture of the Monkey Iran Sent Into Space Will Likely Break Your Heart

Jan. 28, 2013 1:47pm

TEHRAN, Iran (TheBlaze/AP) — Iran said Monday it has successfully sent a monkey into space, describing the launch as another step toward Tehran’s goal of a manned space flight. This news comes after it failed in a similar mission in October 2011.

According to a brief report on state TV, the rocket dubbed Pishgam, or Pioneer in Farsi, reached a height of 120 kilometers (72 miles). The report gave no other details on the timing or location of the launch, but said the monkey safely returned to earth. What it didn’t say was how the monkey responded to allegedly being in space. But, really, they didn’t need to — the monkey’s face says it all.

Iran Claims to Have Sent a Monkey Into Space and Back

Iran claims to have launched this monkey into space. (Photo: Mashregnews.ir via Washington Post)

Still images broadcast on state TV showed a small, gray-tufted monkey presumably being prepared for the flight, including wearing a type of body protection and being strapped tightly into a pod that resembled an infant’s car seat.

Watch the AP’s report:

The photos draw historical links to the earliest years of the space race in the 1950s when both the U.S. and Soviet Union tested the boundaries of rocket flight with animals on board, including American capsules carrying monkeys and Moscow’s crafts holding dogs. Many of the animals on the flights perished because of equipment failure or technology unable to cope with re-entry from orbit.

Here are some photos from the monkeys sent by NASA into space:

Iran Claims to Have Sent a Monkey Into Space and Back

Sam, a rhesus monkey sent into space. (Photo: Wikimedia/NASA)

Iran Claims to Have Sent a Monkey Into Space and Back

Ham, a chimp sent by NASA into space. (Photo: Wikimedia/NASA)

Iran has long said it seeks to send an astronaut into space as part of its ambitious aerospace program, including plans for a new space center announced last year. In 2010, Iran said it launched an Explorer rocket into space carrying a mouse, a turtle and worms.

The U.S. and its allies worry that technology from the space program could also be used to develop long-range missiles that could potentially be armed with nuclear warheads. Iran denies it seeks atomic weapons and claims it is pursuing nuclear reactors only for energy and medical applications.

Tehran has announced several successful launches of satellites, dating back to 2005 in a joint project with Russia.

The Islamic Republic has not given details of its planned new space facility, but it already has a major satellite launch complex near Semnan, about 200 kilometers (125 miles) east of Tehran. A satellite monitoring facility is located outside Mahdasht, about 70 kilometers (40 miles) west of the Iranian capital.

Iran says it wants to put its own satellites into orbit to monitor natural disasters in the earthquake-prone nation, improve telecommunications and expand military surveillance in the region.

–

Related:

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

Comments (99)

1 2 3
  • VoteRightDammit
    Posted on January 28, 2013 at 3:12pm

    Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    ULTRA high tech !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    What was this …… a high school project ?

    Report this comment

    VoteRightDammit  
    • dmerwin
      Posted on January 28, 2013 at 8:07pm

      Then the monkey stole a banana and will be testing the new finger amputation machine.

      Report this comment

      dmerwin  
    • Anamah
      Posted on January 28, 2013 at 9:54pm

      They should better send Ahmadinayad and Kahmeinin for the advance of humanity.

      Report this comment

      Anamah  
    • RTFM
      Posted on January 28, 2013 at 10:56pm

      So What? The USA did that 60 years ago. ‘Merica

      Report this comment

      RTFM  
    • dwilco77
      Posted on January 28, 2013 at 11:01pm

      I think that is Ahmadinejad, or his less evil identical twin.

      Report this comment

      dwilco77  
  • Gigi42
    Posted on January 28, 2013 at 3:07pm

    I heard they were stone aged over there, but GOL-LEE!

    Our monkey pics from the 50′s are more humane than their millenium pics!

    Report this comment

    Gigi42  
    • bumpkin
      Posted on January 29, 2013 at 4:40am

      -I know, huh! Looks like the poor little thing is duct-taped into a pink foam rubber shell made by a kid in a hurry! Poor little thing cant move even an inch to shift positions! EEK! Talk about pressure ulcers and agony! These guys must NOT have seen the Planet of the Apes! Just WAIT for the revenge! -Well, considering those dudes still run around brandishing swords, while wearing turbans, and chopping people’s heads off or stoning them to death, I am not surprised at all. Saddened by it all, but certainly not surprised! I feel like I stepped back into a black-and-white Sir Lawrence of Arabia whenever I look to those countries in the middle East. Time stopped for those folk. Haven’t learned a THING in 50 years, except how to lie better about their planned use of nuclear technology, and how to create the jhadi bomb of the century! (from observing the forward-moving nations.) Talk about your ‘roadside’ bomb! Ouch! And Poor Monkey! These folk just have no love in their hearts.

      Report this comment

      bumpkin  
  • Verceofreason
    Posted on January 28, 2013 at 2:50pm

    Have ya seen what some of OUR scientists to do monkeys and other animals?
    Not to mention the fur trade.

    Report this comment

    Verceofreason  
    • dosdelgados
      Posted on January 28, 2013 at 3:02pm

      Mmmmmm foie gras. While wearing a mink stole.

      Report this comment

      dosdelgados  
    • barber2
      Posted on January 28, 2013 at 4:01pm

      VERCE: Have you seen what Obama has done to our economy ?

      Report this comment

      barber2  
    • Bonnieblue2A
      Posted on January 28, 2013 at 5:36pm

      Have you noticed what Obama has done to this Republic?

      Report this comment

      Bonnieblue2A  
    • VetMike
      Posted on January 28, 2013 at 6:32pm

      No problem. You can stop taking the medications that were developed using animal research and the vaccines that were devloped through animal research and the surgical procedures developed using animal research and.. need I go on? Don’t wear fur if you don’t want to, that is your privilege. But keep your prejudices and opnions to yourself. No-one wants to hear them.

      Report this comment

      VetMike  
  • toto
    Posted on January 28, 2013 at 2:30pm

    Too bad they didn’t send Ahmadinejad.

    Report this comment

    toto  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on January 28, 2013 at 2:56pm

      Wasn’t that him?

      Report this comment

      Gonzo  
    • myptofvu
      Posted on January 28, 2013 at 3:07pm

      Didn’t our esteemed leader have NASA publicly commend the Muslim nations for their contributions towards the space program? I see it was duly justified, I had no idea they were so far advanced. Slap a vest of dynamite to its chest and you’re good to go.

      Report this comment

      myptofvu  
  • Joe_The_Patriot
    Posted on January 28, 2013 at 2:30pm

    They are full of crap… Thats a prototype torture device for infidels….
    If barry had a monkey his name would be travon…

    Report this comment

    Joe_The_Patriot  
    • Kisses6350
      Posted on January 28, 2013 at 5:21pm

      Lawd! Give it a rest already! Sheesh

      Report this comment

      Kisses6350  
    • bumpkin
      Posted on January 29, 2013 at 4:46am

      I would certainly feel tortured if I had to be strapped down as tightly as poor primate. Man! I get sore just lying in bed too long in one position! I cannot help but feel empathy for the primate. In the pics of our test subjects, at least they could move their arms! It HURTS to be strapped in one position for any length of time! We used to have to strap mental patients wrists and ankles during and after surgery, so they wouldn’t damage themselves, and we had to change their positions every two house max, and that wasn’t even enough. Bet Primate is strapped much longer than that. Hope not, tho!

      Report this comment

      bumpkin  
    • bumpkin
      Posted on January 29, 2013 at 4:49am

      Made me laugh for a second, till I realized its meant to torture ME! EEEIIY! Say! Why don’t they have a thumbs-up or down button on these remarks, or even an edit button for our posts?! ‘T’would be nice…

      Report this comment

      bumpkin  
  • myptofvu
    Posted on January 28, 2013 at 2:28pm

    But what if something happens and the rocket blows up? Wouldn’t sending a Jihadist have been a better choice?

    Report this comment

    myptofvu  
  • Ironeagle
    Posted on January 28, 2013 at 2:26pm

    This could be the first “half-black” monkey sent into space.

    Report this comment

    Ironeagle  
  • scootervanneuter
    Posted on January 28, 2013 at 2:22pm

    The rest of the story:

    http://peacemoonbeam.typepad.com/bighairynews/2013/01/iran-sends-monkey-into-orbit.html

    Report this comment

    scootervanneuter  
  • SBR308
    Posted on January 28, 2013 at 2:22pm

    The picture was taken right before they duct taped the monkey to the nose cone

    Report this comment

    SBR308  
  • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
    Posted on January 28, 2013 at 2:21pm

    With Iran in space, or on the moon, there’s no need for nuclear warheads. All they need is mass and a trajectory. Anyone read “The Moon is a Harsh Mistress”? We cannot let China, Iran, nor any other hostile country make a base on the moon, or an un-surveilled space station. We will need methods on how to destroy it if need be. They will most certainly use it as a means against the West.

    Report this comment

    Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
    • searcher619
      Posted on January 28, 2013 at 2:45pm

      Once we can move about freely in space lobbing large rocks from space will be just as effective as nukes.

      Report this comment

      searcher619  
    • Felicianomiko
      Posted on January 28, 2013 at 3:29pm

      Two points for referencing that book. Best of Heinlein IMHO.

      Report this comment

      Felicianomiko  
  • BlackCrow
    Posted on January 28, 2013 at 2:21pm

    The opportunity for inappropriate comments on this story are practically unlimited.

    Report this comment

    BlackCrow  
  • biohazard23
    Posted on January 28, 2013 at 2:20pm

    Poor monkey. (sniffle)

    Report this comment

     
    • CABERNETQHS
      Posted on January 29, 2013 at 9:46am

      He looked so scared! That’s awful. If Iran can’t even pretend to be in the 21st century, they ought to just skip it.

      Report this comment

      CABERNETQHS  
  • MDECKER
    Posted on January 28, 2013 at 2:18pm

    So that’s where Hugo Chavez is.

    Report this comment

    MDECKER  
  • Southernsoul
    Posted on January 28, 2013 at 2:17pm

    Why would they send the most intelligent creature in Iran? Isn t that taking a pretty big risk? What if he didn’t make it back? Who would run the country?

    Report this comment

    Southernsoul  
  • firman
    Posted on January 28, 2013 at 2:16pm

    “If you don’t ride the rocket…you ain’t shiite”

    Report this comment

    firman  
  • kahieb
    Posted on January 28, 2013 at 2:12pm

    I wonder how they got Obama into that car seat?

    Report this comment

    kahieb  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on January 28, 2013 at 2:12pm

    Send a critter into space on a missile and a nuclear device can be mounted as well. Iran has a nuclear program with their reactors capable of producing enough fuel for 10 Hiroshima-yield devices per year for 10 or more years.

    Report this comment

    Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • The_Woofster
      Posted on January 28, 2013 at 3:31pm

      Maybe not anymore, unless they’re stockpiled. Let’s see!

      A loud ka-boom was recently heard at their super secret underground nuke refining facility.

      Report this comment

      The_Woofster  
  • OniKaze
    Posted on January 28, 2013 at 2:05pm

    So, WHY does Iran need to send people to space?? At least the sand camels got the monkey back safe….

    I bet they ate him shortly there-after… Just a guess though…

    Report this comment

    OniKaze  
    • Wolfgang the Gray
      Posted on January 28, 2013 at 11:27pm

      They aren’t doing this for space exploration, they are using this as a veil to hid their real attempts at developing ICBMs that can hit the US. Remember, Death to Israel & Death to America?

      Report this comment

      Wolfgang the Gray  
  • term limits for congress
    Posted on January 28, 2013 at 2:03pm

    Frankly, I am surprised they don’t test their rockets with zionists and political prisoners.

    Any future space exploration missions for the US will be manned only by smokers, obese, or elderly (over 65) thanks to a little-known provision of obamacare.

    Report this comment

    term limits for congress  
  • barber2
    Posted on January 28, 2013 at 1:58pm

    Gee, sending monkeys into space. “Inventing” a devise for cutting off fingers. What will the next big Iranian ” scientific ” break – through ?! ( please do not let these idiots have nuclear weapons )

    Report this comment

    barber2  
  • Karliner
    Posted on January 28, 2013 at 1:55pm

    Is the monkey a Jew( according to most of islum all Jews are apes and peegs).

    Report this comment

    Karliner  
    • ginger100
      Posted on January 28, 2013 at 2:06pm

      Iran sent a Jew into space before they sent one of their own race of apes? Reaching out works I guess.

      Report this comment

      ginger100  
  • Daniel
    Posted on January 28, 2013 at 1:55pm

    Well looky there! They finally found a job that Ahmadinejad could handle. They sent him into space. Maybe there is hope for oBlamer yet! N-O-T!!!!

    Report this comment

    Daniel  
  • Thundergod
    Posted on January 28, 2013 at 1:54pm

    If Obama had a son he’d be the first muslim monkey in space

    Report this comment

    Thundergod  
    • gyro
      Posted on January 28, 2013 at 1:58pm

      ooo harsh

      Report this comment

      gyro  
    • Free_Thought
      Posted on January 28, 2013 at 4:21pm

      Pathetic. I think you are late for your klan meeting. Did your wife make chocolate chip cookies and get that pesky stain out of your hood?

      Report this comment

      Free_Thought  
  • Saff SGT
    Posted on January 28, 2013 at 1:52pm

    How did Obama get to Iran and get into a capsule??? hmmm

    Report this comment

    Saff SGT  
  • TIMEBOMB
    Posted on January 28, 2013 at 1:51pm

    I think those are great pictures of me especially the one with the helmet,it makes me look tough!

    Report this comment

    TIMEBOMB  
1 2 3

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

Glenn Beck Radio

Listen to Glenn Beck 24/7 Listen Now
Restoring Love