Russia plans to launch an unmanned mission to Mars in 2019.
Vladimir Putin says Russia is planning unmanned and later manned launches, into deep space, as part of a lunar program and for Mars exploration.
Russia also plans to launch a mission to the polar regions of the Moon.
Putin described the plans in a video interview which was posted on Russian social media site.
SpaceX Mars rocket may be ready for short sub-orbital test flights next year. Elon had previously stated his ambition was to launch cargo flights by 2022.
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