Iran's state radio said Feb. 3 the country has successfully sent its first domestically made satellite into orbit. The report could not be independently verified.

The report said the satellite was launched late Feb. 2 after President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad gave the final approval.

Tehran unveiled the satellite and inaugurated its first space center in 2008. State radio said the satellite was sent into orbit by a Safir-2 rocket.

Iran has long held the goal of developing a space program, generating unease among world leaders concerned about its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.