Japan’s ambitious effort to uncover the secrets of Mars’ moons has begun its journey into deep space following a successful launch aboard an H3 rocket from the Tanegashima Space Centre.
The Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) spacecraft is expected to reach Mars in August 2027 before attempting to collect samples from Phobos, one of the planet’s moons.
Led by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the mission aims to bring back material from Phobos for the first time, giving scientists a valuable opportunity to investigate the origins and evolution of Mars’ moons.
WATCH JAPAN’S MMX LAUNCH
The mission represents an important milestone in efforts to understand the history of the Martian system and the early development of the solar system.
After travelling for approximately 10 months, the spacecraft is expected to arrive at Mars in August 2027. It will then conduct an extensive survey of Phobos while also observing Deimos, the smaller and more distant of Mars’ two moons.
WHY IS PHOBOS IMPORTANT?
Phobos and Deimos are among the least understood natural satellites in the solar system. Scientists remain divided over their origins, with competing theories suggesting that they could be asteroids captured by Mars’ gravitational pull or debris created by a massive collision between Mars and another celestial object.
By examining Phobos’ surface, chemical composition, internal structure and gravitational properties, MMX hopes to help resolve this long-standing scientific question. The spacecraft will enter a quasi-satellite orbit around Phobos, enabling close observations and helping researchers identify appropriate sites for collecting samples.
MISSION AIMS TO BRING MARTIAN MOON SAMPLES BACK TO EARTH
A key objective of the mission is to gather at least 10 grams of surface material from Phobos and return it to Earth in 2031. The spacecraft is expected to carry out two landing operations during its exploration and sample-collection activities.
The mission will also deploy Idefix, a small rover jointly developed by France’s space agency, CNES, and the German Aerospace Center (DLR).
Idefix will examine Phobos’ surface, helping scientists study its terrain and assess the conditions that the main spacecraft may face while collecting samples.
MMX involves several international partners, including NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), CNES and DLR.
NASA has supplied scientific instruments for the mission, including the MEGANE gamma-ray and neutron spectrometer. The instrument will help scientists determine the elemental composition of Phobos’ surface.
Once its observations and sample collection are complete, the spacecraft will depart the Martian system and begin its journey back to Earth.
The sample capsule is scheduled to separate from the spacecraft and enter Earth’s atmosphere in 2031. Its recovery is planned in Australia.
If successful, MMX will return the first samples collected from a moon of Mars. The material could provide important clues about the origins of Phobos and Deimos, the evolution of Mars and the processes that shaped the early solar system.
