Mission ExplorerMX-000020 · CNSA · China · Mars
Helios VIII
Helios VIII is a crewed mission operated by CNSA targeting Mars. Launched aboard a Long March 2F on 1986-12-09, the profile covers a propulsion qualification and staging demonstration across 992 mission days with a crew of 7.
SuccessfulCrewedMarsHistorical
- Launch date
- Dec 9, 1986
- Long March 2F
- Duration
- 2.7 yr
- 992 days on mission
- Programme cost
- $2.84B
- 100% success rating
- Crew
- 7 astronauts
- 6,549 kg payload
MISSION TIMELINE
Hierarchical flight plan — parent phases expand into their key events
Helios VIII
CompleteT+0d · 2.7 yrCNSA · Mars
- LaunchCompleteT+0d
Phase 1 of 7
- Earth DepartureCompleteT+153d
Phase 2 of 7
- Interplanetary CruiseCompleteT+267d
Phase 3 of 7
- Mars Orbit InsertionCompleteT+377d
Phase 4 of 7
- Entry Descent & LandingCompleteT+474d
Phase 5 of 7
- Surface ScienceCompleteT+665d
Phase 6 of 7
- Extended MissionCompleteT+808d
Phase 7 of 7
CREW MANIFEST
- TYThomas YangCommander · China
- RHRakesh HaddadFlight Engineer · New Zealand
- MNMae NakamuraScience Officer · Russia
- MNMae NovakMedical Officer · China
- RIRakesh IvanovMedical Officer · France
- EFElena FletcherScience Officer · China
- TAThomas AnsariCommander · China
PAYLOAD & EQUIPMENT
- Ion thruster arrayPropulsion155 kg
- Deployable solar arrayPower96 kg
- Regolith core drillSurface Ops47 kg