Japan Aims for Mars Moons

Japan is planning to launch the Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission to retrieve samples from Mars' moons, which may help unlock the origins of the solar system and life on Earth. The mission aims to collect material from Phobos and observe Deimos, with a potential return to Earth in 2031.

The MMX spacecraft will blast off from Tanegashima Space Center in the coming months and stay in Mars' orbit for around three years. During its mission, the spacecraft will attempt to land on Phobos and collect at least 10 grams of material from its surface. The IDEFIX rover will conduct surface observations on Phobos, providing valuable insights into the moon's composition and geology.

In addition to its mission to Phobos, the spacecraft will also observe Deimos, the other of Mars' moons, although it will not land on the moon. The observations of Deimos will help scientists better understand the moon's characteristics and behavior.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is collaborating with France's National Centre for Space Studies (CNES) on the MMX mission. The mission aims to reveal how Mars and its moons formed, and how the solar system was born. By studying the Martian moons, scientists hope to gain a better understanding of the processes that delivered water, volatiles, and organic compounds from the outer solar system to the inner rocky planet region.

## Why it matters The MMX mission has significant implications for our understanding of the solar system and the potential for life on Earth. By studying the Martian moons, scientists can gain insights into the formation and evolution of the solar system, and how the conditions for life arose on Earth. The mission may also lay the groundwork for humans visiting the red planet, with Phobos potentially serving as a 'natural space station' for crewed Mars exploration.

The return capsule from the MMX mission is expected to land in Australia in around 2031, bringing with it valuable samples and data that will help scientists unlock the secrets of the Martian moons. With its ambitious goals and cutting-edge technology, the MMX mission is set to make a significant contribution to our understanding of the solar system and the potential for life beyond Earth.