Japan tests its Mars moon sample-return probe ahead of 2026 launch (photo)

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Japan puts the spacecraft exploring Mars (MMX) through a series of tests before launching it to Mars next year.

MMX is a complex task to collect samples from the moon Foupos And hand them over to the Earth to solve the mystery of the origin of the small Mars satellite.

The spacecraft was placed in a vacuum room to test its predominance for deep space, Japanese Japanese space exploration agency (Jacqua) Declare On May 15, via the official mission channel on the social media platform X.

“The MMX is undergoing the thermal vacuum test, where the spacecraft is placed in a vacuum room where the environment mimics the external space and the operation is examined for each of the tools on the plane,” Jacqua stated.

The image shows the return and exploration of spacecraft, while MMX Little Idefix Rover It can be seen in the center, connected to the exploration unit. IDEFIX ROVER 55 (25 kilograms) was developed by the German Space Center (known by the German abbreviation DLR) and the French National Space Agency Center (CNES).

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The main goal of MMX is to determine if Dimos They are arrested AsteroidsOr formed from fragments that were detonated in orbit after it hit a giant effect Mars. The task also aims to provide new visions in the history of the red planet and planetary composition in general Solar power system.

MMX is scheduled to be launched on the pioneering H3 in Japan rocket From the Tanegashima Space Center during the next Mars’ launch window, in November to December 2026. It was scheduled to be launched earlier in the previous launch window in 2024, but this was. delay Due to the problems with the H3 missile.

If things go well, MMX will reach an orbit around Mars in 2027 to start mapping and analysis. Phobos and Deimos And search for the landing site. MMX will then land on Foubos in 2029 to collect about 0.35 ounces (10 grams) of samples. It is expected to be delivered to land In 2031.