Japan launches MMX mission to collect samples from Mars moon Phobos
publishers 41articles 42first reported 17 Oct, 21:39 UTCdeveloping since 18 Oct · 10 editions
Japan launched its Martian Moons eXploration spacecraft on Tuesday, beginning an uncrewed mission that aims to collect and return the first samples from Phobos, the larger of Mars’s two moons.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s H3 rocket lifted off from Tanegashima Space Center at 4:41 a.m. local time on Oct. 20. About 71 minutes later, the 9,900-pound (4,500-kilogram) MMX probe separated from the rocket’s upper stage and began its journey toward Mars.
MMX is expected to reach the Martian system in 2027 and spend about three years studying Phobos, Deimos and their surroundings. The spacecraft will enter an orbit synchronized with Phobos, deploy the French-German IDEFIX rover to examine its surface and later land to collect at least 10 grams (0.35 ounces) of material. It will observe Deimos without landing there.
Scientists plan to analyze the samples after their expected return to Earth in 2031. The research is intended to help determine whether Phobos and Deimos are captured asteroids or debris formed after a large object struck Mars early in the solar system’s history.
The mission includes instruments and other contributions from U.S. and European space agencies, universities and technology companies. JAXA also plans to assess Phobos as a possible staging point for future human exploration of Mars.
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