Iran launches rocket from new space center

TEHRAN, Iran (CNN) - Iran fired a rocket from its newly inaugurated space center Monday, laying the groundwork for what it says will be the future launch of its first domestically produced satellite, the semi-official FARS news agency reported.

The "Researcher One" rocket is designed to carry a satellite into a low earth orbit.

The launch came a short time after Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad inaugurated the center Monday, according to the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency.