Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, center, surrounded by officials, stands under a research rocket, in Tehran, 04 Feb 2008

Iranian state media say an Iranian rocket launched into space earlier this month has sent data back to Earth.

Iran says the rocket that it launched on February 4 is designed to carry the country's first home-made satellite into orbit later this year.

Washington criticized Iran's launch and said it will further isolate Tehran in the international community. Moscow said it does not approve of Iran's efforts to develop rocket technology.

The technology used to put satellites into orbit can also be used for launching weapons. Iran says other countries should not worry about its scientific achievements, and says it wants to launch satellites for research and telecommunications.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said Iran will test-launch two more rockets before it sends a satellite into orbit.