The mission is also notable because China's first Mars satellite, Yinghuo-1, has been launched piggy-back on the main Russian spacecraft.

BBC: Signal picked up from Russia's stranded Mars probe

Well, maybe the Chinese Yinghuo-1 could do something scientifically useful in Earth orbit, and maybe the equipment that is designed to stay on the Phobosian surface could be useful.

MSN: Salvaging Science from Stricken Mars Moon Probe: A Scientist's View - Technology & science - Space - Space.com | NBC News