Japan to launch probe for Mars moons in October: Space agency

Japan's unmanned Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) probe is set to launch in October, aiming to study the origins of the solar system and life on Earth. The mission, a collaboration between Japan's space agency and international partners, will collect samples from Phobos, one of Mars' moons, and attempt to land on it. The spacecraft will stay in Mars' orbit for three years and will bring back samples to Earth, potentially revealing how Mars and its moons formed. The mission is expected to provide crucial data on the early history of the solar system and the potential for life on Mars.

• The MMX probe will collect at least 10 grams of material from Phobos.
• The spacecraft will use the IDEFIX rover for surface observations.
• The return capsule is expected to land in Australia in 2031.
• The mission aims to explore the possibility of using Phobos as a "natural space station" for future Mars exploration.

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