Returning the first samples from a Martian moon: Inside the science of Japan's bold MMX mission to Mars

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   Japan launches MMX mission to retrieve first samples from Martian moon Phobos

   Japan has launched the Martian Moons Exploration mission to collect and return the first soil and rock samples from Phobos. The spacecraft aims to bring at least 10 grams of material back to Earth by 2031, with the return capsule expected to land in Australia. This international effort involves NASA and seeks to determine the origins of Phobos and Deimos while investigating the history of the Martian system. The mission may also indirectly collect Mars dust during its operation.

   Why it matters

   Phobos is described as one of the most important unclimbed mountains in the solar system. MMX could become the first spacecraft to return from orbit around the Red Planet. The mission tests competing theories regarding whether the Martian moons are captured asteroids or formed from impact debris.

   What is confirmed

   • Japan launched the Martian Moons Exploration mission to collect samples from the moon Phobos.
   • The mission aims to return samples to Earth in 2031.
   • MMX intends to retrieve at least 10 grams of material from Phobos.
   • The mission is an international effort involving NASA.
   • The sample return capsule is expected to land in Australia.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The mission may collect some Mars dust indirectly.
   • The mission includes a Phobos Martian Moon Rover weighing 15 grams.

   What to watch next

   • Confirmation of spacecraft health during transit to Mars
   • Updates on the specific landing site selection on Phobos
   • Verification of sample collection upon arrival at the Martian system
   Sources used for this update (17)

   1. NASA Science (.gov) — NASA to Help Unlock Mysteries of Mars’ Moons in Upcoming Mission
   2. AP News — Japan to launch spacecraft on a mission to get samples from a Martian moon
   3. Space — Returning the first samples from a Martian moon: Inside the science of Japan's bold MMX mission to Mars
   4. BBC — Mission set to blast off for Mars to grab a piece of its moon
   5. Japan Today — Japan to launch historic round-trip mission to Mars moon
   6. Mashable — JAXA's Martian Moons Exploration mission launch: how to watch live
   7. Hackaday — The New Phobos Martian Moon Rover That Weighs In At Only 15 Grams
   8. The New York Times — A Japanese Spacecraft Aims to Bring Back a Bit of a Martian Moon
   9. Financial Times — Japan leads mission to make first return trip to Mars
   10. www.sciencenews.org — Japan’s sample return mission to Phobos may also collect some Mars dust
   11. www.space.com — Returning samples from a Mars moon: Inside the science of Japan's bold MMX mission | Space
   12. www.theguardian.com — Japan to launch world-first mission to collect samples from ...
   confidence 95%