The Russians love Phobos!

Back in 1984, Soviet Russia was preparing to sent a probe to Phobos and eventually send a manned mission. Miller recalls that by then, cosmonauts (who have always been record setters when it comes to long duration spaceflights) had been aboard Salyut stations for over half a year- time that could've been spent going to Phobos.

Today, the Russian interplanetary probe Phobos-Grunt (pictured) has a planned launch of 2011-2012 and will bring back a sample of Phobos' soil.