China will launch its first Mars
probe in October 2009 as part of a joint
mission with Russia. Researchers are planning to go ahead with the project for a synchronised launching with a Russian probe. The Chinese probe is scheduled for completion by June 2009. The probe is expected to land on Mars in 2010 after 10 month''s flight. The probe, 75
centimetres long, 75 centimetres wide, 60 centimetres high and weighing 110 kilograms, is designed to be able to serve a two-year mission. A model of this probe vehicle is on display at an ongoing space exhibition in Shanghai.
More abstracts about the China''s Mars probe in 2009