Japan to launch mission to collect samples from Mars moon
Japan is launching the Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission to collect samples from the Martian moon Phobos. The mission aims to understand the origins of the solar system and the potential for life on terrestrial planets.
Why it matters
This mission represents a significant international collaboration in space exploration and could provide foundational data for future human missions to Mars.
Japanese scientists are set to launch a spacecraft Tuesday on a mission to collect the first-ever samples from a Martian moon, seeking clues about the solar system's formation and the origins of life on Earth.
The flagship H3 rocket carrying the unmanned Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) probe is set to blast off from the Tanegashima Space Center at 4:41 a.m. (1941 GMT Monday), according to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
If successful, the spacecraft will arrive near Mars around August next year, where it will orbit one of its moons, Phobos.
It will later land on Phobos and collect at least 10 grams (0.35 ounces) of material from the surface during its planned three years in the Red Planet's vicinity.
Headlinne story · 7 newsrooms
Japan Launches Historic Spacecraft on Journey to Mars Moons
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