From Mashable · Elisha Sauers · · 50s
JAXA's MMX Mission Launch
Watch JAXA's first Mars moon sample mission launch live.
In brief
Watch JAXA's first Mars moon sample mission launch live. JAXA launches MMX spacecraft to Phobos moon for soil sample return to Earth by 2031. Originally reported by Mashable.
JAXA launches MMX mission
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency launches spacecraft to Mars system for soil sample return.
Launch date and time
Rocket lifts off from Tanegashima Space Center at 3:41 p.m. ET on Oct. 19.
Mission timeline
MMX reaches Mars in August 2024, lands on Phobos by December 2028, returns to Earth in 2031.
Sample collection
Honeybee Robotics' sampler will collect soil from Phobos using nitrogen gas.
Scientific goals
Sample will reveal how Mars gained its moons through asteroid impact or debris.
Live stream details
Launch livestream begins at 2:45 p.m. ET / 11:45 a.m. PT on Monday.
What matters most
JAXA launches MMX spacecraft to Phobos moon for soil sample return to Earth by 2031.
