Japan’s MMX (Martian Moons eXploration) mission is set to launch from Tanegashima Space Center at 2:41 p.m. CT on Monday, Oct. 19, with NASA playing a big supporting role.
The mission
- Characterize Phobos and Deimos, figure out where they came from, and return a sample of Phobos to Earth.
- NASA is contributing the MEGANE gamma-ray and neutron spectrograph, the Pneumatic Sampler (P-Sampler) tech demo, Deep Space Network communications and navigation, and funding for U.S. scientists on the team.
- NASA will also help curate the samples and share portions for study.
Scientists have long argued whether the two moons are captured asteroids or debris from a giant impact on Mars. Samples could settle it.
My take
A sample return from a Martian moon is a big deal, especially with crewed Mars missions on the horizon. Set a reminder for Monday afternoon.
