SPACECRAFT

PHOBOS-GRUNT mission consists in studying Mars' moon, Phobos, then bringing back soil samples on Earth. To fulfill this mission, a spacecraft composite will be sent toward Mars. This spacecraft composite will be constituted of several parts:

a descent module an Earth return vehicle an orbiter/lander a cruise module

© Lavochkin Association

© Lavochkin Association

In addition to these elements, the spacecraft composite will carry a Chinese satellite, Yinghuo-1 (YH-1), which will study Mars environment.

This spacecraft will be launched by a Zenit-3F. The launch is schedulled on November 8, 2011 from the Baïkonour launchpad.

Zenit-3F launcher

Integrated spacecraft - October 2009 © Lavochkin Association