Tokyo (Web Desk): Japanese scientists are preparing to collect soil and rock samples from Phobos, one of Mars’ moons, and bring them back to Earth. The mission aims to uncover important secrets about the formation of the solar system, the origins of life on Earth, and the true nature of Mars’ moons. It is also expected to support future efforts to send humans to Mars.
The unmanned spacecraft mission, known as the Martian Moons Exploration (MMX), is being developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) in collaboration with US and European space agencies, universities, and technology companies. According to the plan, the spacecraft will be launched aboard Japan’s H3 rocket from the Tanegashima Space Center.
The spacecraft will reach the vicinity of Mars after a journey of approximately one year and will orbit its moon Phobos for three years. During this period, the mission aims to collect at least 10 grams of soil and rock samples from Phobos’ surface and return them to Earth.
Before the samples are collected, a research rover named IDEFIX will examine Phobos’ surface to help identify a safe landing site for the spacecraft. The mission will also observe Deimos, Mars’ second moon, although no landing is planned there.
According to mission leader Yasuhiro Kawakatsu, this will be the world’s first attempt to retrieve samples from Phobos. The mission could also mark a major milestone in reaching the Martian region, collecting samples, and bringing them back to Earth.
JAXA hopes the mission will answer several important questions about the formation of Mars and its two moons. One major question facing scientists is whether the moons formed from material ejected when a large celestial body struck Mars, or whether they are asteroids that were captured by the planet’s gravitational pull.
Experts say that determining which theory is correct could help explain how conditions suitable for life developed on rocky planets, including Earth. The mission is also expected to provide information about how water and organic compounds may have been transported across different regions, potentially offering important clues about the origins of life.
The mission involves several organizations, including institutions from France, Germany, and the United States, as well as the European Space Agency. However, scientists face major technical challenges because of Phobos’ extremely weak gravity and the complex requirements of collecting samples near Mars and returning them safely to Earth.
Meanwhile, China has set a target of launching its Tianwen-3 mission around 2028 and bringing samples from Mars back to Earth by 2031.
Japanese scientists say analysis of soil and rock samples from Phobos could reveal evidence about the formation of Mars, the origins of its moons, and potentially the beginnings of life. Such findings could help researchers better understand the history of the solar system and how conditions favorable to life developed on Earth.