Japan-led mission to Mars moon Phobos is scheduled to launch October 19
The Japan-led MMX mission is scheduled to launch October 19 on a mission designed to collect and return samples from Mars's moon Phobos.
The Martian Moons eXploration mission, led by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency with international partners, is scheduled to launch from Tanegashima Space Center on October 19 in European time zones.
ESA said the mission is designed to orbit and land on Phobos, collect samples and return them to Earth. ESA said a confirmation of a successful launch would follow on October 20.