On 19 October 2026 at 9.41 pm Paris time, the Japanese MMX probe lifted off from Tanegashima, Japan. Members of the LIRA’s MIRS team were there to witness the moment, filled with a mix of emotion and pride.
Heading for the Martian moons, Phobos and Deimos ! MMX is set to shed light on their origins and return samples from Phobos to Earth in 2031.
Within the Paris Observatory – PSL, LIRA is the prime contractor for MIRS, under the project management of CNES. This infrared spectrometer will map the composition of the two moons and help determine the sampling sites.
