Science & Tech · Space · 2 hrs ago
Japan’s MMX mission will collect a sample from Mars’s moon Phobos
Japan’s space agency plans to launch the MMX mission on October 20 from Tanegashima, Japan.
The spacecraft will study Mars’s two moons, with Phobos as its main target.
Scientists disagree about whether Phobos and Deimos are captured asteroids or pieces left by a collision involving Mars.
NASA is contributing two instruments to measure Phobos’s composition and collect surface material.
MMX will also carry a rover developed by France and Germany, and the mission includes other international partners.
The spacecraft is expected to reach Mars in August 2027, with sample collection planned no earlier than December 2028.
The sample is due back on Earth in 2031, where researchers hope it will help explain the moons’ origins and the solar system’s formation.
Japan’s MMX mission is preparing to collect samples from Phobos, a moon of Mars, and return them to Earth.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency is scheduled to launch the spacecraft on an H3 rocket from Tanegashima on October 20.
NASA is contributing two scientific instruments and communications support through the Deep Space Network.
The mission aims to study Phobos and Deimos and help determine how the moons formed.
The sample return is planned for 2031.
- Who
- Japan’s space agency, JAXA, is leading the MMX mission, with contributions from NASA and other partners.
- What
- MMX will collect a sample from Phobos and return it to Earth.
- When
- Launch is scheduled for October 20; the sample is due back in 2031.
- Where
- The spacecraft is scheduled to launch from Tanegashima, Japan, and the sample container is expected to land in Australia.
- Why
- The mission will study the Martian moons and help investigate whether they are captured asteroids or remnants of a collision.
Captured-asteroid theory
Collision-remnant theory
Origin of Phobos and Deimos
Captured-asteroid theory
Some scientists think Mars captured the moons as asteroids.
Collision-remnant theory
Other scientists think the moons are remnants of a collision between Mars and another object.
JAXA’s MMX spacecraft is scheduled to launch from Tanegashima on an H3 rocket.
NASA’s Lindsay Hays said MMX is expected to arrive at Mars.
The mission is expected to collect a sample from Phobos.
MMX is expected to return its samples to Earth.
- Mission
- Martian Moons eXploration (MMX)
- Lead agency
- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
- Launch site
- Tanegashima, Japan
- NASA instruments
- MEGANE and P-Sampler
- Phobos diameter
- 22 km (14 mi)
- Sample return
- Planned for 2031
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