Chinese mission to Mars
After China's first attempt in 2011, China hopes to launch another mission to Mars around 2020. Wu Wairen, chief designer of China's moon and Mars missions told the BBC of the country's plans. According to him in a video interview, "our long-term goal is to explore, land and settle (on the moon) and China wants to reach an all in one mission by 2020. Mars surface is one of hardest places to visit, thus mission vehicle will consist of three parts; an orbiter, landing capsule and a Rover. The landing capsule will deploy a parachute to slow it's approach and use thrusters to apply a braking effect. On close range to the surface, landing legs will deploy for safe landing. China's mission goal is to study Mars' surface and atmosphere.