Iran authorities announced that they plan to start 12-year long project for sending an Iranian astronaut into space, Iranian state media reported.

"The program's preliminary needs, assessments and feasibility studies have been carried out", Iranian Aerospace Organization chief Reza Taqipour said on Wednesday.

Iranian Aerospace Organization has prepared comprehensive plan for project of sending first human-crew space mission by 2021.

"China and India managed to send an astronaut to space in a 15 year program. We see ourselves taking the same path, but we hope to reach that goal in a shorter period", said Mr Taqipour.

Minister if Telecommunications and Information Tehcnology Mohammad Soleimani said today that Iranian scientists will manufacture seven other satellites after successful launch of Omid satellite.