Japan aims to return soil samples from Mars by 2029
Tokyo, Aug 20 (AP) Japan's space agency plans to bring back soil samples before the continuing US and Chinese missions to Mars. Japan is hoping to search out clues to the origins of Mars and traces of possible life. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA, plans to send an exploratory vehicle to gather 10 grams (0.35 ounces) of soil from the Martian moon Phobos in 2024 and return it to Earth in 2029.
Project director Yasuhiro Kawakatsu said at an internet press conference Thursday that the rapid return mission will keep Japan after the US and China in bringing back samples from the Martian region.
NASA's "Perseverance" rover is functioning on the crater of Mars, where 31 samples are to be collected. After collection, the samples are to be brought back to Earth in early 2031 with the assistance of the European Space Agency. China landed a spacecraft on Mars in May and plans to bring back samples around 2030.
Kawakatsu said JAXA scientists believe that 0.1 percent of the topsoil on Phobos comes from Mars which 10 grams have about 30 granules, counting on the consistency of the soil.