Japan launches spacecraft to mysterious moons of Mars
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency has launched a multi-nation mission to land a rover on Phobos, one of Mars' moons. The mission aims to collect soil and rock samples to be returned to Earth by 2031, with a landing site planned in the South Australian desert.
Why it matters
This mission represents a significant milestone in space exploration as it is the first attempt to retrieve samples from a Martian moon, potentially providing new insights into the history of the solar system.
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency is leading the mission in a five-nation collaboration. Photo: EPA PHOTO Samples from a Mars moon will land in the South Australian desert under an unprecedented quest begun by a Japanese spacecraft.
All articles from our website & app The digital version of Today's Paper Crosswords, Sudoku and Trivia All other regional websites in your area Continue Five of the world's space agencies joined forces for the five-year mission that will attempt to land a robotic prospector plus a rover on Phobos, the larger and closer of Mars' two pint-sized moons.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, which is leading the bold quest, launched the spacecraft before dawn on Tuesday from the country's main spaceport on Tanegashima Island.
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Japan Launches Historic Spacecraft on Journey to Mars Moons
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