Japan's Martian moon sample mission

Japan's Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) spacecraft, launched by JAXA with US and European partners, is now en route to Mars after lifting off Tuesday. The five-year mission aims to land on the Martian moon Phobos, collect surface samples, and return them to Earth, which would be the first-ever sample return from Mars or its moons. The probe is expected to reach Phobos in August 2027.