The Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission, led by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), will carry a suite of scientific instruments to investigate Mars’ two moons, Phobos and Deimos, with its primary focus on Phobos. The spacecraft will carry 13 scientific instruments, including TENGOO, a high resolution camera to map Phobos’ surface and topography; OROCHI, a wide angle camera to identify surface materials; MIRS, an infrared spectrometer to study minerals, water related substances and organic matter; LIDAR, which measures surface altitude; and MEGANE, a NASA provided gamma ray and neutron spectrometer that will determine the moon’s elemental composition. The spacecraft will also carry IDEFIX, a rover developed by France’s CNES and Germany’s DLR, to examine Phobos’ surface before the main spacecraft conducts its sampling operations.

MMX will also carry two sampling systems, the Coring Sampler (C-SMP) and Pneumatic Sampler (P-SMP), to collect material from Phobos, with a goal of returning at least 10 grams to Earth. The Sample Return Capsule (SRC) will transport the collected material back to Earth for laboratory analysis, helping scientists investigate whether the moons formed from material ejected during a giant impact on Mars or were asteroids captured by its gravity. Additional payloads include the Circum-Martian Dust Monitor (CMDM) to investigate dust around Mars, the Mass Spectrum Analyzer (MSA) to study ions around Mars and its moons, the Interplanetary Radiation Environment Monitor (IREM) to measure radiation, and two Super Hi-Vision (SHV) cameras to capture 4K and 8K imagery. The sample return to Earth is targeted for 2031.

Courtesy of JAXA and NASA.

The H3-24L is the most powerful configuration of Japan’s new H3 launch vehicle, developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and JAXA as the successor to the long-serving H-IIA. Designed with modularity in mind, the H3 family can be configured with different numbers of engines, boosters, and fairing sizes to suit a wide variety of missions. The “24L” designation means the rocket has two LE-9 engines in its core stage, four solid rocket boosters (SRBs) strapped to the sides, and the long payload fairing to accommodate large spacecraft. This makes the H3-24L the heavy-lift workhorse of the fleet, capable of launching the heaviest payloads, including cargo craft for the ISS like HTV-X1.

Specs

Height: 69 m (226 ft)

Liftoff mass: ~574 metric tons (1.26 million lb)

Core stage engines: 2 × LE-9 (liquid hydrogen / liquid oxygen)

Solid boosters: 4 × SRB-3

Liftoff thrust: ~12,142 kN (2.73 million lbf)

Payload capacity to Low Earth Orbit (LEO): 16,500 kg (36,400 lb)

Payload capacity to Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO): 6,500 kg (14,300 lb)

Payload fairing: Long type (L), 16 m tall (52 ft)

The rocket emphasizes not only raw performance but also cost efficiency and flexibility. Japan has pushed for lower launch costs to compete in the global market while still ensuring reliability. By using fewer unique parts and simplifying the assembly process, the H3 is intended to reduce launch costs by nearly half compared to the H-IIA. With its scalable design, the H3-24L can handle government missions, commercial satellite deployments, and international collaborations, ensuring Japan’s continued independent access to space.

Photo courtesy of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI).

LA-Y1 is a launch pad at Japan’s Tanegashima Space Center, specifically located within the Yoshinobu Launch Complex. It serves as the primary launch site for Japan’s H-II and H-IIA rockets, which are used for deploying satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO) and geostationary transfer orbit (GTO).

The Yoshinobu Launch Complex, which includes both LA-Y1 and the adjacent LA-Y2 pad, is situated on the northern side of Tanegashima Space Center. Rockets are assembled vertically in the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) before being transported to the launch pad on a mobile platform. The journey from the VAB to LA-Y1 takes approximately 30 minutes.

LA-Y1 has been operational since its first launch in February 1994 and has hosted numerous missions, including the deployment of Japan’s Akatsuki and Hayabusa2 missions, as well as the Emirates Mars Mission. The pad is equipped to handle the H-IIA's first-stage engine, the LE-7A, and is supported by facilities such as the Takesaki Range Control Center, which manages launch operations and tracking.

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.