Phobos-Grunt has been stuck in Earth orbit since its launch on 9 November, unable to fire the engine that would take it on to Mars.

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The students, aged from seven to 24, were asked to develop an experiment to test anything humans may "want to take or do on Mars in the future".

BBC: Space capsules sent from Somerset school go missing

"You take what Mars gives you, " said Squyres, also the lead scientist on the Mars Exploration Rover Mission, which includes Spirit and Opportunity.

CNN: Rover Curiosity near Mars landing

Like the Golden Spike company, which aims to take people back to the moon, Inspiration Mars will be relying on current technology to build their mission rather than working to develop anything new.

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With the experience and knowledge gained on the moon, we will then be ready to take the next steps of space exploration: human missions to Mars and to worlds beyond.

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