Japan launches first mission to return Martian samples to Earth
The Mars Moons eXploration spacecraft is due back from Phobos in 2031, and scientists face an anxious wait as complex engineering challenges remain.
At a glance
- Japan has launched the first spacecraft intended to bring Martian samples back to Earth.
- The Mars Moons eXploration craft is due to return from Phobos in 2031, after about a five-year wait.
- BBC Inside Science discussed the mission's engineering challenges and research carried out under public hostility.
Japan has launched the first spacecraft designed to bring samples from a Martian moon back to Earth. The Mars Moons eXploration (MMX) mission launched from Japan and is expected to return from Phobos in 2031, leaving the scientists involved facing an anxious wait of about five years.
The mission led BBC Inside Science, where presenter Tom Whipple spoke to Naomi Murdoch, research director at ISAE-SUPAERO. The programme described the mission as an ambitious feat of engineering and noted that many complex challenges lie ahead before the spacecraft can bring its samples home.
Engineering challenge ahead
Although the launch has taken place, the hardest part is still to come. The samples are to be collected and returned from Phobos, and the spacecraft will not be back until 2031. Murdoch, research director at ISAE-SUPAERO, joined the programme to help explain the scale of the undertaking.
Research under pressure
The episode also looked at what happens when scientific work attracts public hostility. Over the coming weeks, the programme is featuring finalists of the John Maddox Prize, run by Sense about Science. This week the neuropsychologist Professor Sallie Baxendale discussed what it is like to keep pursuing research despite being met with hostility, including the risk that such work leads to a researcher being publicly condemned.
Science news round-up
New Scientist managing editor Penny Sarchet also joined Whipple with a round-up of science news listeners may have missed. BBC Inside Science is produced in partnership with The Open University.
Source: BBC Science.
Questions and answers
- What is the Mars Moons eXploration mission?
- It is the first spacecraft launched to bring Martian samples back to Earth. It launched from Japan and is due to return from Phobos in 2031.
- When will the MMX spacecraft return to Earth?
- The spacecraft is expected to return from Phobos in 2031, leaving the scientists involved with an anxious wait of about five years.
- What is the John Maddox Prize?
- It is a prize from Sense about Science whose finalists are being featured on BBC Inside Science. Neuropsychologist Professor Sallie Baxendale discussed continuing research despite hostility.
