London, Dec 4: Reports indicate that China would launch its first Mars probe Yinghuo-1 atop a Russian launch vehicle in October 2009.

The probe will travel 350 million km in 11 months before entering planet's orbit.

"Yinghuo-1 will reach the preset circling orbit and send back the first images of the red planet in September 2010," said Chen Changya, a researcher with the Shanghai Institute of Satellite Engineering.

"The 110-kg Mars probe will circle around the planet for one year, though it has a designed life of two years. It will conduct scientific exploration tasks, including exploring the Martian space environment, and relay back the first Mars images taken by a Chinese satellite," said Chen.

London, Dec.4: London-based auction house Christies will auction pearls that once graced the neck of French Empress Marie Antoinette in the 18th century.
 

London, Dec 4: Researchers have decoded a molecular mechanism that plays an important role in the development of a cell’s shape.

London, Dec 3: Jemima Khan, the ex-wife of Pakistani cricketer-turned politician Imran Khan, has recalled some of her not-so-happy experiences in Pakistan when she was there.

London, Dec.3: Credit for forest expansion likely needed by EU to reach ambitious post-2012 goal of cutting greenhouse gas emission 20 percent by 2020 from 1990 levels

London, Dec 3: A poll has found that two out of five girls between the age group of 6 to 12 want to change their appearance.