Japan Launches Historic Spacecraft on Journey to Mars Moons

A Japanese spacecraft lifted off toward Mars on Tuesday on a pioneering voyage to explore its two mysterious moons and bring back surface samples.

The 10th H3 rocket carried the Martian Moons Exploration probe from the Tanegashima Space Center in southwestern Japan at 4:41 a.m. local time.

Flight controllers declared success after the spacecraft separated from the rocket's upper stage about an hour later and entered its planned orbit.

The $578 million mission seeks to determine how Phobos and Deimos formed, offering vital clues about the early history of the solar system.

Scientists remain divided over whether the rocky moons are captured asteroids or debris from an ancient collision between Mars and a large body.

“There’s a lot of adrenaline and a lot of excitement and a lot of wow,” said Tom Statler, a NASA astrophysicist involved with the project.

The 5-ton spacecraft is scheduled to reach the Martian system by late next summer and sync up with the tight orbit of Phobos.

The mothership will eject a small French-German rover named Idefix that will bounce onto the potato-shaped moon and operate for 100 days.

“All bets are off, though, if it sinks into soft soil or gets wedged between rocks,” said Julien Baroukh of the French Space Agency.

The main lander will then descend to the surface for two hours to collect at least 10 grams of material before heading back toward Earth.

The sample capsule is scheduled to land in the Australian desert in 2031, completing the first round-trip voyage from the Martian system.

“I'd dreamt of this day, so I'm incredibly happy,” said Mari Aida, a scientist at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.

JAXA officials confirmed on Wednesday that the probe's basic functions, including solar power generation and communications, are operating normally.

China is also planning a sample return mission around 2028, while NASA's own return plans faced setbacks following budget and policy changes.

Researchers must now wait to see if the spacecraft successfully navigates its journey and whether the intricate landing sequence on Phobos goes to plan.