China will launch the Mars probe into 2009

In October 2009, China will depart the first Mars probe as part of a joint project with Russia, sources from the Shanghai Space Agency, the main manufacturer of the probe, said yesterday.

Chinese-made equipment is expected to be completed in June 2009. It is 75 cm long and 110 kg in weight, designed to serve a 2-year mission. Its model is currently on display at an ongoing space technology exhibition in Shanghai.

This probe, launched with a Russian spacecraft, will be brought into space by a Russian cruise missile. Both are expected to land on the red planet in 2010, after 10 months of flying.

Introducing the exploration model at the space technology exhibition in Shanghai.(Photo: Xinhua News Agency)

T. An