Interesting that you mentioned astronauts as I just read this... Thursday, August 25, 2011 China's First Mars Probe Set for October Launch China's first Mars probe is on course to launch in October of this year China National Space Administration's (CNSA) Yinghuo-1 will launch and will search for the causes behind the disappearance of water on Mars. The flight will last between 10-11.5 months, at which point Yinghuo-1 will separate from Phobos-Grunt and enter into a 72.8 day equatorial orbit. The primary objectives of Yinghuo-1 are to: Investigate Mars' plasma environment and magnetic field. Study the Martian ion escape processes and possible mechanisms. Observe sandstorms.