MMX launch “proud” Cheers surrounded by rocket light – Tanegashima, Kagoshima

In the early hours of the 20th, 425 people from inside and outside the prefecture watched the launch of H3 rocket No. 10, carrying the Mars satellite explorer MMX, at Eminoe Observation Park, which is located about 3 kilometers from the launch pad of the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture.

Successful space probe launch to Mars satellite, sample collection, round trip in 5 years - "MMX" mounted on H3, JAXA

As the aircraft lifted off with a roar and illuminated the pre-dawn sky, fans with cameras cheered and gazed into the sky.

Toyoko Takeda (59), a part-time worker from Nagoya's Nakagawa Ward, expressed excitement, saying, ``I was moved to be able to witness this historic moment.'' "I feel proud knowing that people all over the world are watching," he said with satisfaction. ``MMX has a lot of missions ahead of it, but I want to tell them to do their best,'' he said, cheering them on.

Shuichi Kikuchi (67), a physician in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, who is a big fan of the asteroid explorer Hayabusa, said, ``It's great that the engineers worked so hard to launch it on schedule.I'm looking forward to its return (after collecting samples from the Martian moon).''

Yuri Kamiyama (41), who came from Kashiwa, Chiba Prefecture, to see a rocket launch for her daughter, said it was her first time to see a rocket launch in person. ``I was surprised and moved by the sound and light.My heart is full.'' Daughter Yori (3) exclaimed, ``It was cool. The sound was amazing.''