#Mars

MMX launches tonight: Japan's mission to bring back rock from the Martian moon Phobos – with Europe on board

Japan's MMX spacecraft is due to lift off from Tanegashima on Monday 19 October at 19:41 UTC, aiming to bring at least 10 grams of rock from the Martian moon Phobos to Earth in 2031. A Franco-German rover rides along; if the launch slips, JAXA has a back-up window until 7 November.