This handout picture taken on November 14, 2019 shows CNSA director Zhang Kejian (centre R), speaking in front of an exploration lander (back) for China's Mars mission before a hovering and obstacle avoidance test at a facility in Huailai in northern China's Hebei province. PHOTO | CHINA NATIONAL SPACE ADMINISTRATION | AFP
At first, the Soviet Union leads the way, sending probes from 1960, just three years after it launched its first artificial satellite Sputnik I.
But it clocks up a string of failures, including Marsnik 1 and 2, the first two probes launched in October 1960, which do not reach the Earth's orbit.
The six-decade space race to explore Mars has led to some 40 missions, at least half of which have been successful, and still the Red Planet inspires new adventures.
A look back at some key Mars missions over the last 60 years:
