Japan’s MMX mission is set to launch a spacecraft to Mars’ Phobos moon, a journey that has seen three previous attempts fail. The mission, led by JAXA, will use a suite of scientific instruments to observe and collect samples from Phobos, aiming to solve the mystery of how the moons formed. Key instruments include MEGANE, which will determine the elemental makeup of Phobos by measuring neutrino particles and gamma rays. MMX’s goal is to bring back at least 10 grams of Phobos samples to Earth by 2031, making them the first ever samples from a moon other than Earth’s. The mission’s success hinges on overcoming the lack of knowledge about Phobos’ surface, which will be explored by the spacecraft and a rover. MMX’s findings will shed light on Mars’ evolution and the solar system’s early history. This mission is a significant step towards understanding the formation of moons and the mysteries of Mars and its moons.
