Iran launches space centre

Moscow, June 10:

has opened a

centre to be able to monitor and observe space objects and satellites, passing through the country's atmosphere, a media report said on Sunday.

"This centre has been inaugurated to maintain the security of Iran's space and spatial systems, since we should constantly monitor spatial objects and satellites passing through the country's atmosphere," the Iranian Defence Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi said at the launch ceremony.

The space centre named "Imam Ja'far Sadeq (PBUH)" was opened in the central province of Markazi.

The centre will use three different methods of radar, electro-optic, and radio detection to track and detect space objects, Vahidi said.

The system can also be used by other countries to control their space objects in orbit, he said.

IANS/RIA Novosti