# Japan Launches Mars Moon Sample Mission

> Japan's spacecraft targets Phobos for first Martian moon samples in 2031.
- Title: Japan Launches Mars Moon Sample Mission · Seattletimes
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: japan, phobos, mars, mmx, jaxa, spacecraft, samples, martian moon, news, local, Launches, Moon
- Source: Seattletimes — https://seattletimes.com/nation-world/japan-to-launch-spacecraft-on-a-mission-to-get-samples-from-a-martian-moon
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: japan, phobos, mars, mmx, jaxa, spacecraft, samples, martian moon, news, local
## 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.
## Key takeaway

Japan will collect Phobos soil samples by 2031 to study Mars moon origins and potential life clues.