Japan launched a Mars probe early on the 20th to study and return samples from
Phobos. The mission is led by JAXA with participation from NASA, CNES, DLR and
ESA. The spacecraft will take about one year to reach Mars vicinity, enter a
quasi-satellite orbit to map and analyze tens of candidate landing sites, and
select a touchdown location. It will attempt to land on Phobos, acquire more
than 10g of surface regolith and rock, depart in 2030 and deliver samples to
Earth in 2031.
