China, Russia to Launch Joint Mars Mission

by editor2
August 29th, 2006

BEIJING, Aug. 28 (UPI) — China and Russia reportedly are planning a joint mission to Mars that is planned to return samples to Earth as well as landing on one of the planet`s moons.

Ye Peijian, a scientist Chinese Research Institute of Space Technology, made the announcement last week in Beijing during a forum on China`s space technology development.

Ye said Russia will launch the spacecraft in 2009 and it will carry China-made survey equipment, Xinhua, China`s official news agency, reported.

Sun Laiyan, administrator of the China National Space Administration, says China`s deep space exploration during the next five years will focus on lunar and Mars exploration.

Source : http://science.monstersandcritics.com/news/article_1195620.php/