Sample return, inheritance and development Mr. Tsuda of Hayabusa2 - Launch of space probe MMX

Sample return (SR) exploration, which collects samples from extraterrestrial bodies and brings them back, is a ``Japanese specialty'' pioneered by the asteroid explorers ``Hayabusa'' and ``Hayabusa 2.'' Professor Yuichi Tsuda of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), who was in charge of Hayabusa2, emphasized that the probe MMX, which is headed for the Martian moon Phobos, is ``not a repeat of the same thing, but a continuation and development of SR.'' ``We must move forward in a position that leads the world,'' he said, expressing his hopes.

"MMX" launches on 20th aiming to collect samples from Mars satellite - world's first to explore origins and life - JAXA

The success of Hayabusa and other missions surprised the world in asteroid exploration, an area that space powers such as the United States and Russia had not focused on. Tsuda says that Japan's strength lies in its ``exploration that is not the standard route, but is a little bit fun, and makes you wonder, 'Are you sure you've hit that point?'''' However, since the early days of space exploration, probes from the United States and the former Soviet Union have been sent to Mars, and Mars has been difficult to reach because it is ``not suitable for Japan to do so'' (Mr. Tsuda).

In this atmosphere, the success of Hayabusa changed the direction of the situation. "Phobos and Deimos are asteroids in terms of size. If they are combined with SR, they will become the gateway for Japan to approach Mars." Tsuda, who was working on the Hayabusa2 mission at the time, also participated in meetings to consider the next exploration. The orbit calculations showed that SR from Mars satellites was possible, and this was one of the triggers for the MMX concept.

MMX is more than a mere inheritance because it is studded with world-first technologies for future exploration. Tsuda pointed to round-trip flights to Mars and pointed out, ``We don't know what direction space science will take in the future, but at least the ability to travel back and forth between planets and freely explore the surfaces of celestial bodies will be fundamental.'' Even in the field of international cooperation, he said, ``It's important to be able to come up with good ideas and have the skills to do things empirically.''

Mr. Tsuda, who is also a senior on the SR mission, reflects, ``There are a lot of hardships, but after the launch, it's really fun. We're doing something that no one else in the world has ever done.'' He encouraged MMX, who is embarking on a five-year journey, saying, ``The real thrill of exploration is that things don't turn out the way you planned, so I hope you will bravely overcome them.''