China's Mars probe model to be on show

BEIJING: A model of China's ambitious Martian probe will debut at China International Industry Fair in Shanghai, state media reported today.

The golden model which is a third of its real size will be displayed at the 17th China International Industry Fair which will be thrown open tomorrow.

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, following a successful soft landing on the moon late last year, have set their eyes on the Red Planet. They plan to launch the probe in 2020.

"The project is going smoothly," Niu said, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

The fair will remained open until Saturday.