Historic Space Mission from Japan: MMX Spacecraft to Bring Samples from Phobos

Japan's Space Agency JAXA has launched the MMX spacecraft from the Tanegashima Space Center to land on the Red Planet's moon Phobos and bring samples back to Earth. The spacecraft, scheduled to reach Mars in August 2027, is projected to collect approximately 10 grams of material from the surface and return to Earth in 2031.

Within the scope of the MMX mission implemented by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency JAXA, the caravan-sized spacecraft was sent into space from the Tanegashima Space Center with an H3 rocket. The spacecraft, which will make a 225 million-kilometer journey, is expected to arrive at the Mars system in August 2027 after a voyage of approximately 10 months.

The spacecraft, which will conduct examinations around Mars and Phobos, will land on the surface twice and deploy Idefix, a small roving robot built through a Franco-German partnership. Special systems on the spacecraft's legs will drill the surface and suction material using air pressure to collect a sample of approximately 10 grams. The spacecraft will begin its return journey in late 2030, reach Earth in 2031, and, according to European Space Agency data, drop the capsule containing the collected samples most likely onto Australian soil.