Japan launches probe in first mission to land on Martian moon

· Tech · Japan

Japan launched a spacecraft on a historic mission to return samples from Mars's moon Phobos. The spacecraft is due to arrive near Mars around August next year, where it will orbit the moon. The five-year mission is the first to attempt to land on a Martian moon and could shed light on the origins of the solar system and life on Earth.

Why it matters：Samples from a Martian moon could provide rare pristine material from the early solar system and inform the search for life's origins.

Key points

  • The spacecraft will reach Mars around August next year
  • It will orbit Phobos before attempting a landing
  • The mission is planned to last five years

Sources (original reporting)

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