The Safir (ambassador) satellite-carrier rocket, carrying Iran's Omid 2 (hope) satellite, is launched at an unknown location in Iran in this handout picture sent to Reuters by Iranian Fars News February 3, 2009. Iran said it launched its first domestically made satellite into orbit on Tuesday, boasting major progress in its space technology. (REUTERS/Fars News)
　　Iran has sent its first home-built satellite into orbit, Iran's English-language satellite news channel Press TV reported on Tuesday.
　　The Omid (Hope) lightweight telecommunications satellite was sent into space by the Iranian-produced satellite carrier Safir 2,the report said.
　　Equipped with two frequency bands and eight antennae, Omid will transmit information to and from earth while orbiting the planet 15 times an hour, Press TV said.
　　The satellite is also equipped with remote sensing, satellite telemetry and geographic information system technology, as well as remote and ground station data processing.
　　After orbiting for one to three months, Omid will return to earth with data that will help Iranian experts send an operational satellite into space.
　　Officials at the Iranian Aerospace Organization have announced that they plan to launch another satellite into orbit this summer, according to Press TV.