Pakistan · World · Independent Digital Newsroom
The rocket lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Centre in southwestern Japan at 4.41am local time (1941GMT Monday).JAXA project manager Makoto Arita said the spacecraft had reached its planned orbit with "exceptional precision."Read: Astrophysics study suggests Venus may have swallowed its moonThe 4,480-kilogram spacecraft will travel to Phobos, the larger of Mars' two moons, and is scheduled to enter Martian orbit in August 2027.
A French-German rover will first land on Phobos, followed by two planned landings by the Japanese spacecraft to collect samples.The probe will subsequently observe Mars' second moon, Deimos, before departing Martian orbit in November 2030.
It is expected to return samples to Earth in July 2031.Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi welcomed the launch, expressing hope that the historic mission would succeed.
The launch was originally scheduled for 2024 but was delayed following the failure of the H3 rocket's maiden flight in 2023.The international MMX mission seeks to determine how Mars' moons formed and advance technologies for future planetary exploration.
Japan launches world's first mission to collect samples from Martian moon Updated 13 minutes ago Spacecraft to collect rocks, sand from Phobos before returning to Earth in July 2031.
