Japan is set to launch its H3 rocket carrying the Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) probe toward Mars, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has announced. The mission, scheduled for liftoff at 4:41 a.m. Japan time on Tuesday, October 20, from the Tanegashima Space Center, aims to study the origins of the solar system and search for clues about the emergence of life.
According to JAXA's launch plan, the H3 will place the MMX spacecraft into its intended orbit. The mission is expected to last five years, with the goal of completing the first-ever sample return from Phobos, one of Mars's two moons. The samples will be analyzed for hydrated minerals, water, and organic compounds, which could shed light on the early solar system and the potential for life beyond Earth.
JAXA said remote-sensing observations will help investigate the origin of life on the Martian moon and on habitable terrestrial planets. The agency also positions MMX as one of Japan's main contributions to international space exploration in the Martian region, potentially paving the way for future crewed missions.
Masashi Okada, the project director, will oversee the launch. Safety measures during launch preparation and liftoff will follow the standards and regulations of the Kagoshima Space Center, including restrictions on personnel at storage and transport sites for hazardous materials. The H3 will be monitored from land, air, and sea, with cooperation requested from the Kagoshima Prefectural Police, Tanegashima Island authorities, the 10th Regional Coast Guard, and the aviation office.
The MMX mission represents a significant step in Japan's space exploration efforts. By returning samples from Phobos, scientists hope to gain unprecedented insights into the formation of the solar system and the conditions that may have supported life. The mission's findings could also inform future human exploration of Mars and its moons.