When MMX lights up the upper atmosphere

At dawn on 20 October 2026, shortly after the successful launch of Japan’s MMX mission aboard an H3 rocket from Tanegashima, spectacular blue, pink and orange clouds appeared in the sky above Yakushima. These luminous formations, resembling artificial noctilucent clouds, result from gases and particles released by the rocket into the upper atmosphere. While the Sun was still below the horizon, its rays illuminated these high-altitude clouds, creating a remarkable display. A beautiful signature of MMX’s departure towards the Martian moons Phobos and Deimos, a mission to which LIRA contributes through the MIRS infrared imaging spectrometer.