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[TECHNOLOGY] · Japan, United States, France, Germany, Australia · 89 sources

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JAXA launches MMX mission to collect Martian moon samples

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) successfully launched the Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) spacecraft aboard an H3 rocket from the Tanegashima Space Center. The unmanned probe began its journey toward the Mars system following a successful separation from the launch vehicle.

The five-year mission aims to collect at least 10 grams of surface material from Phobos, Mars’ largest moon, to help scientists understand the origins of the Martian moons and the solar system. The mission includes the deployment of Idefix, a Franco-German rover designed to scout the surface and identify safe landing sites. The spacecraft is scheduled to arrive at Mars in August 2027.

Following its operations at Phobos, the probe will conduct flyby observations of the smaller moon, Deimos. The mission is a major international collaboration involving NASA, ESA, CNES, and DLR. If successful, the return capsule carrying the collected samples is expected to land in Australia in 2031.

Entities

Deimos · Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt · Idefix · JAXA · Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency · NASA · Phobos · Sanae Takaichi · Tanegashima Space Center

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