Japan launches historic MMX sample-return mission to Mars' moon Phobos

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) successfully initiated its ambitious MMX mission on July 20, 2024, targeting Phobos, one of Mars’ two moons. This pioneering endeavor represents a significant step toward potentially obtaining the inaugural Martian lunar samples for detailed analysis here on Earth. The primary objective of the MMX mission is to land a rotorcraft on Phobos and subsequently collect surface material. Scientists anticipate that this sample-return mission will provide invaluable insights into the composition and origin of Phobos. JAXA aims to bring these collected materials back to Earth within approximately ten years following launch.