# Japanese Spacecraft Targets Martian Moon

> JAXA's MMX mission aims to collect rock samples from Phobos for Earth study.
- Title: Japanese Spacecraft Targets Martian Moon · Seattletimes
- Summary: JAXA's MMX mission aims to collect rock samples from Phobos for Earth study. Japanese spacecraft MMX will land on Phobos in 2029 to collect 10 grams of rock…
- Keywords: japan, jaxa, phobos, mars, mmx, spacecraft, rock samples, martian moon, news, local, Japanese, Targets
- Source: Seattletimes — https://seattletimes.com/nation-world/a-japanese-spacecraft-aims-to-bring-back-a-bit-of-a-martian-moon
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: japan, jaxa, phobos, mars, mmx, spacecraft, rock samples, martian moon, news, local
## Japanese Spacecraft Launches
A Japanese spacecraft launched on Monday en route to Mars.
## Mission Targets Phobos
JAXA aims to land on Phobos, pick up rock and dirt, then drop samples on Earth.
## Project Manager Statement
Yasuhiro Kawakatsu called Phobos the most important unexplored body in the solar system.
## Mission Goals
The mission seeks to answer how Phobos and Deimos formed and ended up around Mars.
## Mission Cost and Partners
JAXA developed MMX for $350 million with NASA contributing $87 million over 14 years.
## Launch Details
MMX launched at 3:41 p.m. Eastern time on Monday from Tanegashima Island, Japan.
## Phobos Landing Timeline
MMX will reach Mars in 2027, land on Phobos in late 2028 or early 2029.
## Rover Deployment
The Idefix rover will drop from 130 feet to explore Phobos for 100 days.
## Sample Collection
MMX will collect 10 grams of Phobos material in 2030 for Earth analysis.
## Sample Return
MMX will drop samples in Australia after 2031 orbit to study Martian moon origins.
## Key takeaway

Japanese spacecraft MMX will land on Phobos in 2029 to collect 10 grams of rock for Earth analysis.