The MMX probe, developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), successfully separated from its launch vehicle after departing from the Tanegashima Space Center on October 20. The spacecraft, which weighs 4.5 tons and features a 9-meter solar array, has entered its planned orbit.
The mission aims to reach Mars by August. Following arrival, the probe is scheduled to collect approximately 10 grams of material from Phobos, one of the Martian moons, no earlier than December 2028. The collected samples are intended to be returned to Earth in 2031 via a specialized capsule.
JAXA intends to utilize the data gathered from the soil analysis to investigate the origins of Phobos and the history of Mars. Additionally, the mission serves as a testbed for technologies required for future human-crewed expeditions to the planet, as noted by Minister Yoshihiro Seki.
