This New Martian Moon Mission Could Explain How Life Began

Japan is aiming to complete the first round-trip mission to Mars and its moons in 2024 — here’s how JAXA is preparing for a mission others have failed.

We’re heading to Mars again. But this time, Japan is aiming to complete the first round-trip mission, not to the Red Planet itself, but to its moons on the Martian Moons eXploration, or MMX

Mars has two moons and JAXA is planning to land on one of them, Phobos. And once the spacecraft is there, it will collect samples, and return them to Earth; bringing back dust and rock that not only haven’t been present on Mars for billions of years but could also potentially help us understand the formation of the red planet and its moons, and by extension, the formation of our solar system.

MMX is hoping that Phobos and Deimos could provide some insight to a few key areas of debate. Starting with, where did these moons come from?

JAXA plans on launching this moon hunting mission some time in 2024, and so far, it’s on track. But before we all get too excited, it will be awhile before we get to check out these samples, as MMX isn’t scheduled to come back until 2029.

Find out more about the new Martian mission in this episode of Countdown To Launch.

#JAXA #Mars #moon #space #seeker #science #elements

Read More:

JAXA's MMX mission will capture Mars and its moons in 8K
"The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) have teamed up to develop a Super Hi-Vision Camera for JAXA’s Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission that will take the first 8K ultra-high-definition images in orbit around the Red Planet."

Japan to launch a sample-return mission to Mars moon Phobos in 2024
"The probe will visit both of Mars' moons, Phobos and Deimos, and will touch down on the former for a few hours to snag samples. MMX will then deliver this pristine Phobos material to Earth in 2029, where scientists can scrutinize it in detail."

JAXA Is Going To Land on Phobos, the 14th Best Moon in the Solar System
"Astronomers have long proposed a mission to Phobos as a precursor to any mission to the Red Planet. In 2015, the director of Solar System Exploration at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Firouz Naderi, suggested that a quick crewed trip to Phobos might be a nice alternative to Mars."

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Countdown to Launch takes a deep dive into upcoming space missions from around the world. We interview the people involved and explore the science, innovation and technology that makes them possible.

Seeker empowers the curious to understand the science shaping our world. We tell award-winning stories about the natural forces and groundbreaking innovations that impact our lives, our planet, and our universe.

[TaeSunWoo]

I’m glad we’re finally sending something to Mars’ moons

[aaditya]

Every time there is news about Mars and possibly liveable planet my heart starts racing

[TheFuturistTom]

I love Seeker!! Their awesome content inspired my futurist/sci-fi channel!!

[Mountainkingmusic]

2020:
Japan: MARS VACUUM CLEANER GOES WOOSSHH

[lucidzfl]

Return trip in 2029?

Elon Musk: I'll pick up the groceries on the way home in '25.

[samwouldyoukindly]

Next you know we open a hell portal on Phobos and we’ll need the Doom Slayer to save us!

[rogershabangu]

This is starting to feel like The expanse I would love to live for that future

[mugenjoyer-jl]

Finally, we are actually looking at Phobos and Deimos.

[Kyzoren]

**sees title**

Are they gonna touch the Monolith?!

[_wahed]

Seeker:- Bringing the dust from Mars
Nobody:-
Me:-😯😯😯
Also Me:- SO they are bringing the movie "Life" to reality. Hats off JAPAN

[winston]

Can't wait till we colonize Mars and it's moons. I hope I'm still living until the time comes.

[stevepashley]

Thanks Amanda. As my favourite presenter as usual you delivered great content, thank you again

[flintsteel]

Didn't know the MMX (Marble Machine X) would be going to space!

[trgosai]

3:27 did you just said that a sample taken 2 centimeters below the surface is a core sample i need an explanation for that
is it a mistake or something
cause thats not deep enough.i belive

[AnimalScienceTV]

Isn't the current mars mission on the way to mars supposed to drill samples and wait for them to be picked up in 2030 by a future mission?

[Phoenix]

The first human mission to Mars will, if they are sane, will use Phobos as staging, possibly even as the first Martian settlement, likely in Stickney crater with the planet taking up one-fourth of the sky ( the rotations of both Phobos and Deimos are tidally locked). I love it that this MMX will give us incredible details about the site of that future human mission/settlement!

[cahidijoyoraharjo]

Just make sure they don't bring back an Alien egg sack in their chest.

[TheRealNaika]

if those moons would be from the formation of a planet, gravitational forces should have smoothed them out to some degree, right now they look like asteroids caught by the planet.

[JosePineda-cyom]

I'm so dissappoinsted... I thought they were to send a giant mecha explorer to Martian moons. THAT would've been awe inspiring.

[srijonmondal]

2:56. . .don't put the Canon R5 in there