China has signed an agreement with Russia, to stage a joint unmanned mission to Mars and one of its moons in two years.
According to the agreement, micro-satellite developed by China will be launched along with Phobos Explorer, a Russian spacecraft atop a Russian rocket.
After the spacecraft enters Mars orbit, the micro-satellite will be detached from the spacecraft and will probe the Martian space environment.
On the other hand the Phobos Explorer spacecraft will land on the Martian moon and will return to earth with soil samples.
China is also working on a three-stage moon exploration project, including sending a lunar orbiter some time this year. This mission will be followed by a soft-landing in 2012 and return of lunar samples in another five years.
Via: Chinadaily
