After decades of work in lunar exploration, China is studying the feasibility of exploring Mars. The first Mars probe designed by China is scheduled to be launched in October together with a Russian spacecraft.

At the international air show in Russia, MAKS-2009 the Russian Phobos-Grunt spacecraft and Chinese Mars orbiter Yinghuo-1 steal the show. In October, they will be sent together to the red planet, Mars.

Two years ago, China and Russia signed an agreement on joint Chinese-Russian exploration of Mars. It includes the launch of Phobos-Grunt with Yinghuo-1, which means firefly.

Phobos-Grunt is a planned Russian sample return mission to Phobos, one of the moons of Mars. If successful, it will bring an extraterrestrial sample back to Earth.

Through a voyage of more than 10 months, Chinese Yinghuo-1 will separate and enter Mars orbit next August. The probe is expected to remain there for one year. The two space crafts will conduct numerous experiments during their stay in universe.

It is believed that of all the planets, the atmosphere on Mars is the most similar to Earth's. This joint Chinese-Russian exploration will further contribute to knowledge about this planet.