Iran successfully fired a home-built satellite rocket, Kavoshgar 3, carrying an "experimental capsule," state-owned Al-Alam television reported today.

It gave no further details.

State television meanwhile showed President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad unveiling a new home-built satellite carrier rocket, Simorgh.

The events are part of celebrations marking the 31st anniversary of the founding of the Islamic revolution.

The milk-bottle shaped rocket, emblazoned in blue with the words "Satellite Carrier Simorgh," is equipped to carry a 100-kilogramme (220-pound) satellite 500 kilometres (310 miles) into orbit, the television report said.

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