Japan launches Mars moon mission

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency launched the Martian Moons eXploration spacecraft from Tanegashima Space Centre this morning. The five-year mission will study Phobos, a Martian moon never explored before.

The spacecraft's journey to Mars

The MMX spacecraft will spend a year travelling to the Martian sphere, where it is set to arrive in two thousand twenty-seven. It will then enter a quasi-satellite orbit around Phobos.

Collecting samples from low gravity

The rover will attempt two soft landings to collect at least ten grams of sand at a depth of about two centimetres.

“Because the surface gravity is so low, there were concerns that the rover might tip over upon landing.”

Why Phobos holds answers

Scientists believe Mars once had an environment similar to Earth with water and organic matter.Phobos, a potato-shaped moon, has not undergone the same geologic evolution as planets and should preserve evidence of Mars's early development.

“It is hoped that the answer to this question may be hidden within the samples.”

Understanding Mars's moon origins

There are conflicting theories about how Mars's moons formed: either from a huge collision with Mars or as asteroids pulled into Mars's gravity.

International support for the mission

Australia's ambassador to Japan Andrew Shearer attended the launch alongside ambassadors from France and Germany, the deputy ambassador from the United States, and representatives from NASA and other space agencies.

Samples return to South Australia

After the spacecraft returns from the Martian system, a re-entry capsule containing sand and rock samples will separate and re-enter the atmosphere. The capsule is expected to land in Woomera, in remote South Australia.