Russia and China begin preparations for joint Mars mission

Russia and China have begun preparations for the implementation of a joint mission designed to explore Mars. As part of this project, the parties plan to manufacture instruments and equipment for studying the Red Planet.

Details of the joint programme

Roscosmos head Dmitry Bakanov announced the start of work on the new project. According to him, cooperation between the two countries already has a foundation in the form of the joint lunar mission "Chang'e-7".

«У нас спільна місячна місія "Чан'е-7". Також ми починаємо спільну марсіанську місію — виготовлення приладів і техніки для вивчення Марса», — зазначив Баканов. (We have a joint lunar mission "Chang'e-7". We are also starting a joint Mars mission — the manufacture of instruments and equipment for studying Mars, Bakanov stated.)

In addition to work on the Mars programme, Bakanov emphasised that Russia and China are exchanging Earth remote sensing data. He also stated that the countries are jointly using the GLONASS and BeiDou navigation systems.

Unknown aspects of the project

Official statements so far do not contain specific details regarding the timeline for implementing the Mars mission, the size of the budget, or a clear division of tasks among the project participants.