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Japan launches MMX mission to Mars moon Phobos
Original: Japan's MMX spacecraft has launched on a mission to land on Phobos up to twice and return samples to Earth by 2029, one
Japan has launched its MMX (Martian Moons eXploration) spacecraft, sending it on a mission to land on Phobos, the larger of Mars's two moons, up to twice before returning samples to Earth by 2029. The mission is being described as one of the most ambitious planetary science efforts ever attempted, following the success of Japan's Hayabusa asteroid sample returns.
Why now: The launch is a major milestone in space exploration and only a handful of missions have ever targeted a Martian moon.
JAXAMMX spacecraftPhobosJapanMars
Evidence
- Japan's MMX spacecraft has launched on a mission to land on Phobos up to twice and return samples to Earth by 2029, one of the most ambitious planetary science missions ever attempted. # science # space # japan https:// arstechnica.com/space/2026/10/… · Econopass@flipboard.com · 1
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