NASA will hold a media briefing on Thursday, October 15 at 4 p.m. EDT to discuss the agency's contributions to the Martian Moons eXploration mission. The MMX mission, developed by Japan's space agency JAXA, is scheduled to launch from Tanegashima Space Center in Japan on Monday, October 19 EDT, or Tuesday, October 20 Japan Standard Time.
The teleconference will preview NASA's involvement in the mission ahead of its launch window. JAXA leads the MMX project, which aims to explore Mars' two moons, Phobos and Deimos. NASA has provided technical contributions to the international effort.
The briefing represents an opportunity for media to learn details about the specific hardware, instruments, or scientific support NASA has provided to the Japanese-led mission. The agency routinely participates in collaborative space exploration efforts with international partners, including JAXA.
Reporters and members of the public can join the teleconference to hear from NASA officials about the mission's objectives and the agency's role in its development and execution. The timing of the briefing allows media to file stories before the scheduled launch date.