Japan Phobos sample-return mission

Japan launches historic Mars moon sample-return mission

Japan has launched a five-year uncrewed mission to collect samples from Phobos, the larger of Mars' two moons. The $578 million project aims to deliver dust, soil and rocks to Earth in 2031, potentially shedding light on how the moons formed and the origins of life. Five of the world's space agencies have joined forces for the mission, which will attempt to land a robotic prospector and rover on Phobos.