We are excited to announce that JAXA Astronauts YONEDA Ayu and SUWA Makoto have been appointed as public relations ambassadors for the Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission (hereafter referred to as MMX Public Relations Ambassadors).

The Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission aims to conduct the world's first sample return from the moons of Mars, and is scheduled to launch in fiscal year 2026. Leading up to the launch of MMX, the MMX Public Relations Ambassadors will widely communicate the objectives and significance of the MMX mission to the broader public in an accessible style, and will act as a bridge connecting MMX with everyone in society.

Astronaut Yoneda and Astronaut Suwa are JAXA's most recently certified astronauts, and will participate in a variety of JAXA and MMX-related events. Astronaut Suwa Makoto is scheduled for a long-duration stay onboard the International Space Station (ISS) around 2027, and further long-duration missions to the ISS are also planned during the operation period of MMX. These opportunities will allow information to be shared from the ISS!

All our JAXA astronauts, including Astronaut Yoneda and Astronaut Suwa, have sent messages of support for MMX with the #GoodLuckMMX campaign, which have been shared on social media and posted on the campaign website.

MMX support campaign #GoodLuckMMX　https://goodluck-mmx.jp/en

JAXA Astronaut SUWA Makoto (left) and Astronaut YONEDA Ayu (right).

Appointment message from Astronaut Yoneda Ayu

I am JAXA Astronaut Yoneda Ayu, and I have recently been appointed as the MMX Public Relations Ambassador.

Many of you have probably spotted the red planet, Mars, floating in the night sky. MMX is humanity's first attempt to travel to the Martian sphere, land on Mars's moon, Phobos, collect samples, and bring these back to Earth. Nothing has ever been returned from the Martian sphere before. These samples may provide clues to the origins of life and the planets, and expand the possibilities for humans to explore Mars.

The space exploration technology cultivated through Japan's robotic exploration initiatives will greatly expand the possibilities for crewed space development around the world. MMX is a truly unique project that will be a catalyst for this advancement. Humanity is now striving to envisage a future beyond Earth--extending to the Moon and onward to Mars--and is stepping steadily forward in that direction. As part of this process, Japan will leverage its strengths and strive for even greater heights. As we strengthen our abilities, we will contribute to the leap forward for humanity. MMX is the key to achieving these ambitions.

From the perspective of Mars, returning from the Martian sphere to Earth can also be seen as "the first arrival on Earth". It may even be said that this marks the very moment when Mars's space history begins.

I am excited to be able to witness this great challenge together with all of you.
Please join us in supporting the long journey of MMX that is about to commence.

Bon voyage, MMX! You have many supporters in Japan and throughout the world.
Enjoy your journey towards Mars, and we look forward to the day that you return to Earth.

Appointment message from Astronaut Suwa Makoto

I am JAXA Astronaut Suwa Makoto, and I have recently been appointed as the MMX Public Relations Ambassador.

MMX will launch from Tanegashima and embark on a journey towards the distant planet Mars. It is a truly grand challenge to carry out this mission of conducting detailed observations of the Martian moons and collecting samples, and returning these results to Earth. The mission will not only shed light on the formation of the Solar System from the perspective of Earth and planetary science, but is also an extremely important step in acquiring new exploration technologies as humanity's focus shifts towards deep space exploration.

The long journey towards Mars, and the return trip to Earth after the completion of the research, will be full of difficulties and challenges. If reaching the ISS is likened to a sprint, then the Moon is a marathon, and Mars is an ultra trail run. Although all three are "space exploration", they could be considered entirely different pursuits. Nevertheless, they have in common the prospect of expanding the future for humanity. Understanding the origins of the Martian moons and evolution of the Mars system, will help us unlock the mysteries of planetary formation within the Solar System, and lay a major foundation for humanity's future journey to Mars.

I am scheduled to participate in a long-duration mission on the ISS around 2027, and the path to my ISS mission coincides with the MMX mission towards Mars during the same period. By the time I am staying onboard the ISS, MMX is expected to have reached Mars orbit. I am already looking forward to the day when I can gaze from low Earth orbit and see where MMX is heading towards Mars.

Let's join together to think about the significance of this project, support the mission, and make it a success!

◾️ お問い合わせ先
JAXA MMX 広報担当: mmx_outreach@ml.jaxa.jp