According to the plan, the Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) spacecraft is set to be launched into space by the H3 rocket in 2024, followed by its approach to Mars in 2025 to explore Phobos and Deimos.
The National Space Policy Commission under the Cabinet Office of Japan has decided to postpone the Mars exploration mission to 2026, which is a two-year delay from the original schedule.
This decision came after Japan failed to successfully launch the H3 rocket in a test flight this March.
The adjustment to the timeline was included in a draft amendment to the project schedule as part of the space plan after receiving the “green light” from the aforementioned commission.
The Curiosity rover from NASA successfully navigates to Gediz Vallis Ridge, a crucial geological formation on Mars. (Photo: Ts2.space/TTXVN).
Initially, the Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) spacecraft was scheduled for launch in 2024 with a planned approach to Mars in 2025 to explore its two moons, Phobos and Deimos.
The mission aims to bring samples from Phobos back to Earth by fiscal year 2029.
In addition to this plan, Japan has also delayed the timelines for several other missions, including the launch of the new HTV-X cargo spacecraft to transport supplies to the International Space Station and the LUPEX project, which aims to land a probe near the South Pole of the Moon in collaboration with India.
The revised timeline is expected to be approved at a meeting of the Headquarters for Strategy on National Space Policy in Japan this month.
On March 7, Japan experienced its second failure in an attempt to launch the new-generation H3 rocket, forcing the rocket to activate its self-destruction mode.
The H3 rocket is developed for regular commercial launches with better cost-effectiveness and reliability.
This rocket is considered a potential competitor to SpaceX’s Falcon 9.
