(Yicai Global) March 10 -- China has successfully completed its first wireless network test between a spacecraft and a mission control center in a bid to set out to fly to Mars for the first time in July. 

The Beijing Aerospace Flight Control Center tested both hardware and software, China News Service reported today.

China has followed others, including the US, the United Arab Emirates, as well as an alliance between the European Union and Russia, in plans of launching their first Mars rover missions this year. China aims to map the Red Planet that could be fit for humans to inhabit in the future due to its water content. 

The expedition project is extremely difficult and poses huge risks as it takes seven months to reach Mars, Cui Xiaofeng, head of the BAFCC's Mars mission team, told the same news outlet. 

Editor: Emmi Laine