China’s self-developed Mars probe to be on show

A model of China’s Martian probe will debut at China International Industry Fair, it was announced Monday.

The 17th China International Industry Fair will open on Tuesday in Shanghai, lasting until Saturday. The golden model, which is a third of its real size, has been given pride of place at China’s Aerospace Science and Technology Corp.’s exhibition stand.

Niu Shengda, a satellite expert with the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, explained that the probe consists of two parts: an orbiter and a lander.

China’s astronomers have set their sights on the Red Planet following a successful soft landing on the  moon late last year. They plan to launch the probe in 2020.

“The project is going smoothly,” Niu said.

Source: Xinhua News Agency