Japan launches MMX spacecraft to bring back samples from Mars moon Phobos
In short
JAXA launched the Martian Moons Exploration (MMX) spacecraft on an H3 rocket from Tanegashima at 4:41 a.m. Japan time on Tuesday (3:41 p.m. EDT Monday). The spacecraft is to land on Phobos, collect samples and return them to Earth in 2031, according to AP and CBS News.
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A Japanese spacecraft launched toward Mars on an H3 rocket from the Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan. The Seattle Times and CBS News put the launch at 3:41 p.m. Eastern time on Monday, which was 4:41 a.m. Tuesday at the launch site. AP reported that officials declared success about an hour later, when the spacecraft separated as planned from the rocket's upper stage, and that flight controllers applauded. [ 1 , 4 , 9 ]
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) leads the Martian Moons Exploration mission, known as MMX. It aims to land on Phobos, the larger of Mars' two moons, collect samples and return them to Earth. AP, PBS and CBS News give 2031 as the expected return year. [ 4 , 8 , 9 ]
The mission seeks to determine how Phobos and Deimos formed and how they ended up around Mars, the Seattle Times reported. NASA's Tom Statler said at a press briefing that the moons' circular orbits in line with the Martian equator indicate they could have formed from debris left by a collision between a young Mars and a giant asteroid. Wired added that some of their attributes suggest instead that they are asteroids captured by Mars' gravity. CBS News quoted Statler as saying the samples will allow scientists to determine which is more consistent with Phobos material. [ 1 , 3 , 9 ]
The spacecraft will take about a year to reach Mars and will enter orbit in August 2027, the Seattle Times reported. It will then descend toward Phobos twice. The first descent, in late 2028 or early 2029, will drop the French-German rover Idefix, named after the dog in the comic Asterix, from about 130 feet. Ars Technica says the climax comes in 2029, when the spacecraft will attempt up to two landings. [ 1 , 11 ]
JAXA developed and built the spacecraft for about $350 million, the Seattle Times reported. NASA's contributions, valued at $87 million over 14 years, include an instrument for identifying elements in the minerals on Phobos and one of the two devices for collecting samples. The European Space Agency supplied communications equipment, and France and Germany built the rover. PBS gives the mission's cost as $578 million, while CBS News calls it a $350 million mission. [ 1 , 8 , 9 ]
AP and PBS report that no one has ventured onto Phobos or Deimos, and no one has fetched samples from Mars or its moons. PBS adds that Japan has already completed two asteroid sample returns. Wired reports that Russia sent three probes to Phobos since the 1980s, and all failed. Kiyoshi Kuramoto, who leads the mission's international scientists, said in Wired that all the members are filled with a quiet sense of excitement. [ 3 , 4 , 8 ]
Why it matters
The mission aims to settle whether Phobos and Deimos are captured asteroids or debris from a collision involving Mars. AP and PBS report that no one has reached Phobos or Deimos or brought back samples from Mars or its moons.
Key facts
- An H3 rocket carrying the MMX spacecraft launched from the Tanegashima Space Center at 3:41 p.m. EDT Monday, which was 4:41 a.m. Tuesday in Japan. [ 1 , 9 ]
- AP reported that officials declared success about an hour after launch, when the spacecraft separated as planned from the rocket's upper stage. [ 4 ]
- JAXA leads the mission, which aims to land on Phobos, collect samples and return them to Earth in 2031. [ 4 , 8 , 9 ]
- AP and PBS say five space agencies joined forces for the five-year mission. [ 4 , 8 ]
- Seattle Times reported that MMX will enter Mars orbit in August 2027, and that a French-German rover named Idefix will be dropped onto Phobos. [ 1 ]
- NASA contributed an instrument for identifying elements in Phobos minerals and one of the two sample-collecting devices, the Seattle Times reported. [ 1 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- JAXA launched MMX on an H3 rocket from the Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 8 , 9 ]
- The mission plans to return samples from Phobos to Earth in 2031. [ 4 , 8 , 9 ]
- A French-German rover named Idefix is to be dropped onto Phobos. [ 1 , 8 ]
- NASA contributed instruments to the mission. [ 1 , 9 ]
Still unclear
- Cost of the mission. CBS News calls MMX a $350 million mission, PBS gives $578 million for the mission, and the Seattle Times says JAXA developed and built the spacecraft for about $350 million.
- Timing of the Phobos landings. The Seattle Times says the first descent comes in late 2028 or early 2029, while Ars Technica says the climax comes in 2029 with up to two landing attempts.
- Size of Phobos. PBS describes it as about 14 miles (22 kilometers) across, while CBS News says it measures 17 miles at its widest.
- Whether the sampling will succeed. Outlets describe the landings and sample return as plans; the documents give no results yet.