The U.S. space program launched a rhesus monkey into space from New Mexico in 1948.

CNN: Reports: Monkey soars from Iran into space -- and back

The Islamic Republic of Iran says it successfully sent a monkey into space on Monday and retrieved the animal alive.

FORBES: Iran's Space Program Isn't Monkeying Around

"Sending (the monkey into space) and retrieving it was the first step for sending humans into space, " Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi said, according to the semi-official Fars News Agency.

CNN: Reports: Monkey soars from Iran into space -- and back

Last week, Iran was said to have sent a monkey into space, but the ensuing photo evidence provided by Iran caused confusion as to whether monkey did indeed make the journey.

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But the tone was far different in Iran, where officials characterized the monkey's reportedly successful trip high into the sky and back as a major step forward in its space program.

CNN: Reports: Monkey soars from Iran into space -- and back

On May 28, 1959 a rhesus monkey named Able and a squirrel monkey named Miss Baker blasted off on an American Jupiter missile and became the first primates to successfully travel into space and return to Earth alive.

FORBES: Iran's Space Program Isn't Monkeying Around