Japan launches MMX mission to bring back samples from Mars moon
Japan's space agency has sent an uncrewed spacecraft toward Phobos, the larger of Mars's two moons, to gather rock and dust. The sample return is planned for 2031.
By Standard Topic. AI-generated from the reporting listed under Coverage. Published . Updated .
This story is no longer being updated. It reflects reporting up to .
What happened
Japan's space agency has launched a five-year uncrewed mission, called MMX, to collect samples from Phobos, one of Mars's two moons. The spacecraft lifted off on an H3 rocket before dawn from the Tanegashima Space Center in southwestern Japan.
Why it matters
Scientists hope the samples will help explain how Mars acquired its two moons.
Timeline
- Oct 18, 4:11 AM ET: Japan's space agency prepared to launch a five-year mission to collect samples from Phobos, described as one of the most important unclimbed mountains in the solar system.
- Oct 19, 3:48 PM ET: The spacecraft was expected to reach the Martian system in August 2027, with samples due back on Earth in 2031.
- Oct 20, 12:08 AM ET: Japan launched the mission, and five space agencies have joined the effort to attempt a landing on Phobos with a robotic prospector and a rover.
- Oct 20, 1:59 AM ET: The mission's climax is set for 2029, when the spacecraft will attempt up to two landings on Phobos.
Coverage
- Japan launches uncrewed space mission to become first to gather samples from Mars' moon Phobos (Jerusalem Post)
- Japan launches mission to bring home a piece of the Martian moon Phobos (arstechnica.com)
- Japan launches historic mission to bring back Mars moon samples (Al Jazeera)
- Japan launches spacecraft to Mars' moon in mission to bring back soil samples (PBS)
- Japan is heading for a moon of Mars no spacecraft has ever landed on (stuff.co.nz)
- Japan launches historic MMX sample-return mission to Mars' moon Phobos (space.com)
More from Science
- Citrini Research designs 211 proteins with Claude AI
- Researchers find two methods to break down PFAS chemicals
- International team measures early Universe helium with record precision
- British Academy launches report on universities' research funding future
- Researchers find previously unknown chicken immune cell population
- Daily blueberries linked to fewer depression symptoms in small study