Subscribe now

Space

Japan is sending a rover to Mars's moon Phobos in 2024

The Martian Moons eXploration mission is slated to launch for Phobos in September 2024 – once it gets there, it will drop off a rover, pick up some samples and head home

By Leah Crane

28 December 2023

MMX mission

The MMX mission will visit the Martian moon Phobos

JAXA

Update: The launch date of this mission has been moved to 2026.

A piece of Mars’s biggest moon is coming back to Earth. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is sending a spacecraft to Phobos to examine its surface and bring back samples that should help researchers figure out exactly how this strange moon formed.

Read more

A mysterious, incredibly energetic cosmic ray has smashed into Earth

The Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission is slated to launch from Tanegashima Space Center…

To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers

View introductory offers

No commitment, cancel anytime*

Offer ends 28th October 2023.

*Cancel anytime within 14 days of payment to receive a refund on unserved issues.

Inclusive of applicable taxes (VAT)

or

Existing subscribers

Sign in to your account

More from New Scientist

Explore the latest news, articles and features

Popular articles

Trending New Scientist articles

1

Get ready to see a total solar eclipse in 2024 – here's how

2

Much of North America may face electricity shortages starting in 2024

3

Human cells have a resonant frequency – and it’s just barely audible

4

Aloe vera plants turned into energy-storing supercapacitors

5

Quantum state of matter made with 'dipolar' molecules for first time

6

Why tending your oral microbiome is the secret to a long, healthy life

7

The best photos of the natural world in 2023

8

Why free will doesn't exist, according to Robert Sapolsky

9

Encryption upgrade in 2024 will keep data safe from quantum computers

10

How bad is vaping for your health? We’re finally getting answers