Japan to launch world's first mission to collect samples from Mars' moon Phobos
Japan is preparing to launch the world's first mission to bring soil samples back to Earth from Phobos, one of Mars' two moons, on October 20, the Associated Press reported.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) will launch its Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) spacecraft aboard an H3 rocket. The five-year mission aims to determine how Phobos and Mars' other moon, Deimos, formed and whether they could provide clues about the origins of life in the solar system.
Scientists have two leading theories: the moons may be asteroids captured by Mars' gravity, or debris left over from a massive collision with the planet.
The spacecraft is expected to reach Mars in August 2027 and spend approximately three years studying Phobos before returning to Earth in 2031.
The mission will also deploy a French-German rover named Idefix, which will explore Phobos' surface ahead of the spacecraft's landing. Scientists hope to collect at least 10 grams of soil using Japanese and NASA-developed sampling equipment.
Researchers believe the samples could contain traces of material originating from Mars itself, potentially providing new insights into the planet's history.
The mission could also help scientists assess whether Phobos might serve as a base for future crewed expeditions to Mars.
Japan has previously brought samples back from two asteroids through its successful Hayabusa missions, but no country has yet returned material from a Martian moon. Previous Russian attempts to explore Phobos ended in failure.
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