Tehran, May 9 (IANS) Iran is preparing to launch five to six satellites into the space as part of its aerospace development programme.

"We are currently carrying out a project which will see the design, production and launch of 5 to 6 satellites. We hope to send one satellite into space in the first half of the coming year," Iranian Telecommunications Minister Reza Taqipour said.

"Iran has laid the foundation for the development of its aerospace industry in the past three to four years," Taqipour told Fars News Agency.

Taqipour said the country has no shortcomings in its domestic space programme as Iranian scientists have managed to gain a firm grasp on satellite-related technology.

Theran is also planning to develop a launch pad in the country.

"We now have only one launch pad in the country; so, as you can imagine, there are some limitations in that area," he noted.

"However, we plan to build more launch pads and have even specified suitable locations in the country (from which) to send satellites into space," he added.

After launching Omid satellite in February last year, Tehran has unveiled three new satellites and a satellite carrier, Tolou, Mesbah II and Navid respectively.

Iran is one of the 24 founding members of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS), which was set up in 1959.