Phobos-Grunt spirals closer to Earth

Russia's doomed probe for Mars spirals ever closer to the Earth before it plunges back into the atmosphere in a fiery end.

Parts of Mars probe predicted to hit Earth

Russian space agency Roscosmos says 200kg fragments of the Mars probe Phobos-Grunt may survive re-entry but expects toxic fuel to vaporise.

Nasa rover scours Mars for life

A nuclear-powered rover is set to begin a nine-month journey to Mars this weekend to learn if the planet is or ever was suitable for life.

Botched Mars mission fails to restore Russian pride

Russia's failed Mars moon probe points to problems of a once-pioneering space industry struggling to recover after a generation of brain drain.

Stranded Mars probe 'won't phone home'

Russia has made desperate efforts to give a vital boost to a pioneering Mars probe that now hangs in a low Earth orbit and could crash back down.

Mars 'astronauts': No, we don't want to murder each other

The six men who emerged from a simulated 520-day Mars mission last week say they that, rather than being sick of each other, they feel like a family.

Experiment volunteers to 'walk on Mars'

Volunteers will step out for a "space walk" on Mars on Monday, as the experiment to study the effects of a mission to the planet reaches its climax.

Take five: Of internet censors and medical fraud

The M&G's Faranaaz Parker rounds up five odd things you may have missed this week, including solitary trips to Mars and Big Brother US.

Six men 'take off' for 520-day simulated Mars trip

Clad in a blue jumpsuit and waving, crew member Sukhrob Kamolov quipped "See you in 520 days!" before hopping into sealed-off chambers.

Six men to brave 520-day isolation on 'Mars mission'

Six men are to be voluntarily locked away in a module for almost one-and-a-half years to simulate psychological effects of a mission to Mars.

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