From Seattletimes · · 1m 30s
Japan Launches Mars Moon Sample Mission
Japan's spacecraft targets Phobos for first Martian moon samples in 2031.
In brief
Japan's spacecraft targets Phobos for first Martian moon samples in 2031. Japan will collect Phobos soil samples by 2031 to study Mars moon origins and potential life clues. Originally reported by Seattletimes.
Japan to launch Phobos sample mission
Japan plans to launch a spacecraft on the world's first mission to bring back samples from Phobos, one of Mars' two moons.
Mission aims to study moon origins
Scientists hope the five-year mission will provide clues on how Phobos and Deimos formed and shed light on solar system life origins.
JAXA launches on H3 rocket
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency launches the spacecraft Tuesday on a new Japanese mainstay H3 rocket.
Phobos as future Mars base
Samples from Phobos could provide useful data for future manned missions to Mars, according to JAXA project manager Yasuhiro Kawakatsu.
Phobos: most important unclimbed mountains
Kawakatsu called Phobos the most important unclimbed mountains in the solar system, despite its potential importance.
International mission with NASA support
Japan leads the international mission that includes equipment and communications support from NASA and other national space agencies.
Phobos formation theories
Scientists debate whether Phobos and Deimos formed from debris after a Mars collision or as asteroids from elsewhere.
Phobos sample collection plan
JAXA aims to collect at least 10 grams of Phobos soil using U.S. and Japanese methods in two sampling attempts.
Mission timeline
The spacecraft will arrive at Mars in August 2027, fly near Phobos for three years, and return samples to Earth in 2031.
The one thing
Japan will collect Phobos soil samples by 2031 to study Mars moon origins and potential life clues.
