Japan to launch spacecraft on a mission to get samples from a Martian moon
Japan launched the Martian Moons Exploration (MMX) spacecraft on Tuesday to collect soil samples from Phobos, one of the two potato-shaped moons of Mars. The $578 million mission aims to return the first-ever samples from the Martian system to Earth by 2031. Led by JAXA, the spacecraft will travel to Phobos to gather material that scientists believe will explain how Phobos and its sibling moon, Deimos, formed and potentially provide clues regarding the origins of life in the solar system.
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- ✓ Japan launched the MMX spacecraft toward Mars on Tuesday.
- ✓ The mission aims to collect samples from the Martian moon Phobos.
- ✓ The MMX spacecraft is intended to return samples to Earth by 2031.
- ✓ Phobos is one of two small, potato-shaped moons orbiting Mars.
What changed
Japan successfully launched the MMX spacecraft toward Mars on Tuesday.
Live updates
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Japan Launches MMX Spacecraft to Collect Samples from Phobos
Japan launched the Martian Moons Exploration (MMX) spacecraft on Tuesday to collect soil samples from Phobos, one of the two potato-shaped moons of Mars. The $578 million mission aims to return the first-ever samples from the Martian system to Earth by 2031. Led by JAXA, the spacecraft will travel to Phobos to gather material that scientists believe will explain how Phobos and its sibling moon, Deimos, formed and potentially provide clues regarding the origins of life in the solar system.
Why it matters
Phobos is described as one of the most important unclimbed mountains in the solar system. This round-trip mission represents the first attempt to return samples from a Martian moon. The effort involves a five-year timeline to reach the target and return home.
What is confirmed
- Japan launched the MMX spacecraft toward Mars on Tuesday.
- The mission aims to collect samples from the Martian moon Phobos.
- The MMX spacecraft is intended to return samples to Earth by 2031.
- Phobos is one of two small, potato-shaped moons orbiting Mars.
- The mission is led by JAXA.
Still unconfirmed
- The MMX spacecraft cost $578 million.
- The mission includes a Phobos Martian Moon Rover that weighs 15 grams.
What to watch next
- Confirmation of spacecraft health during transit to Mars
- Data releases regarding the formation of Phobos and Deimos
- Successful landing and sample collection on Phobos
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (13)
- AP News — Japan to launch spacecraft on a mission to get samples from a Martian moon
- Space — Returning the first samples from a Martian moon: Inside the science of Japan's bold MMX mission to Mars
- BBC — Mission set to blast off for Mars to grab a piece of its moon
- Japan Today — Japan to launch historic round-trip mission to Mars moon
- Mashable — JAXA's Martian Moons Exploration mission launch: how to watch live
- Hackaday — The New Phobos Martian Moon Rover That Weighs In At Only 15 Grams
- www.theguardian.com — Japan to launch world-first mission to collect samples from ...
- abcnews.com — Japan to launch spacecraft on a mission to get samples from a ...
- nypost.com — Japan launches spacecraft on mission to explore mysterious moons of Mars
- en.yenisafak.com — China launches satellite from offshore platform in Shandong
- www.goodnewsnetwork.org — Japan Successfully Launches Mission to Bring Home the First-Ever Martian Moon Samples
- tech.yahoo.com — Japan to launch spacecraft on a mission to get samples from a ...
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