Iran had successfully sent a monkey into space and brought it back to Earth safely in January.
Fazeli expressed hope that the monkey would be sent into space successfully and return back safely this time too.
Unlike the first rocket which was solid-fueled, the Pishgam II rocket will use liquid propellant, Fazeli said.
He added that the space agency planned to launch the Tadbir (Prudence) research satellite as well as Sharif and Nahid satellites into space by the end of the Iranian calendar year, which ends on March 20, 2014.
Iran is among a handful of countries that are able to launch living creatures into space.
According to Fazeli, the plan to send living creatures into space is part of the project to send human beings into space within a course of five to eight years.
In February 2012, Iran successfully launched its third domestically manufactured satellite, named the Navid (Promise), into orbit. On February 8, 2012, Iran received the first image sent by the Navid satellite.
The Navid is designed to collect data on weather conditions and monitor for natural disasters. It has advanced control technology, a higher resolution camera, and photocells to generate power.
Iran launched its first satellite, called the Omid (Hope), into orbit on February 2, 2009. The Rasad (Observation) satellite was also sent into space On June 17, 2011.
MT/PA
MNA
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MNA
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