"Phobos-Grunt" fails to hit target orbit

BAIKONUR. November 9. KAZINFORM Russian interplanetary probe "Phobos-Grunt" failed to settle into required orbit. According to the Roscosmos head Vladimir Popovkin, an emergency situation occurred when the station was to enter its flight path to Mars. The reason for the failure lies in the propulsion system, which should have ensured the movement of "Phobos-Grunt" after its separation from the launcher.

Popovkin said that a likely scenario had been foreseen. The station made it to support orbit, communication with it is being maintained.

Experts now have three days to work out a new flight programme for "Phobos-Grunt".

The probe was successfully launched on Wednesday night from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The purpose of the mission is to collect samples from Mars' moon - Phobos. (TASS )