Japan’s premier rocket-launch hub on Tanegashima Island
Japan-led MMX mission has launched to study Phobos and Deimos, with a lander and rover designed to fetch samples from Phobos and return them to Earth by 2031. The mission involves multiple international partners including NASA and ESA.
Five space agencies have launched the MMX mission to land a robotic prospector and a rover on Phobos, Mars’ moon. The spacecraft has separated, paving the way for the Idefix rover and a two-hour surface operation planned for 2028-29, with a 2031 Earth return.