October 27th, 2026.



GS Yuasa's specialist lithium-ion batteries are helping power one of the most ambitious space exploration missions ever undertaken, following the successful launch of a spacecraft destined to collect samples from a Martian moon and return them to Earth.

The Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) spacecraft, developed under the leadership of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), successfully launched from Japan's Tanegashima Space Center on 20 October 2026. Equipped with advanced lithium-ion batteries manufactured by GS Yuasa Technology Ltd., part of the global GS Yuasa Group, the spacecraft is beginning a remarkable journey of hundreds of millions of kilometres to investigate the origins of Mars and its two moons, Phobos and Deimos.

The mission represents a major milestone in international space exploration. Bringing together expertise from Japan, Europe and the United States, MMX aims to become the first mission to return samples from the Martian system to Earth, potentially transforming scientists' understanding of how Mars and its moons formed and evolved.

At the heart of the spacecraft's electrical power system are GS Yuasa's specially developed lithium-ion batteries. Designed to operate reliably in the extreme conditions of space, they will provide essential electrical power whenever the spacecraft is outside direct sunlight and unable to rely on its solar arrays.

With the mission expected to continue until 2031, the batteries must support spacecraft operations throughout an extended period in deep space, where reliability is essential and opportunities for maintenance or intervention simply do not exist.

James Douglas, Head of Marketing UK and Europe at GS Yuasa Battery Sales UK Ltd., commented: "There's something genuinely extraordinary about knowing that GS Yuasa batteries are travelling to Mars. We talk a great deal about reliability, quality and engineering excellence, but it's difficult to imagine a more demanding demonstration of those qualities than powering a spacecraft on a five-year mission hundreds of millions of kilometres from Earth. What makes this achievement particularly exciting is that the same commitment to advanced battery technology runs throughout the GS Yuasa Group. From the batteries supporting everyday transport and critical infrastructure here in Europe to specialist systems operating in the most extreme environments imaginable, reliability is at the heart of everything we do. It's a tremendous achievement for our colleagues in Japan, and we're incredibly proud to see GS Yuasa technology playing a part in such an important international scientific mission."

Following its successful launch, MMX is expected to reach the vicinity of Mars in 2027, where it will begin detailed observations of Phobos and Deimos. The spacecraft will enter a quasi-satellite orbit around Phobos, allowing it to closely study the moon's surface and composition before descending to collect samples.

These samples could help answer fundamental questions about the formation of the Martian system, including whether its moons originated from captured asteroids or material thrown into space following a major collision. The mission will also investigate the conditions that shaped the evolution of Mars and contribute valuable knowledge to future planetary exploration.

European scientists and engineers are making important contributions to the programme. The mission includes the IDEFIX rover, developed jointly by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the French space agency (CNES), which will explore the surface of Phobos. The European Space Agency (ESA) is also supporting the wider mission, highlighting the scale of international cooperation involved.

GS Yuasa's involvement builds on more than two decades of experience supplying batteries for space applications. Since the company's lithium-ion battery technology was first demonstrated in orbit in the early 2000s, batteries developed by GS Yuasa Technology Ltd. have been selected for more than 260 spacecraft worldwide.

The batteries were chosen for MMX by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, which is responsible for the design and manufacture of the spacecraft system and technical support for its operation, reflecting GS Yuasa's established record of performance in demanding space environments.

Beyond space exploration, GS Yuasa Technology Ltd. develops specialist batteries and power systems for applications operating under exceptional environmental conditions, from equipment deployed 6,500 metres beneath the ocean's surface to spacecraft operating at altitudes of approximately 36,000 kilometres.

The MMX mission demonstrates the extraordinary capabilities of modern lithium-ion battery technology and the critical importance of dependable energy storage wherever failure is not an option.

With the spacecraft now beginning its journey towards Mars, GS Yuasa technology will play its part in supporting an exploration mission that could change our understanding of the Solar System.

Yuasa Powersports batteries are distributed in the UK by Bickers Powersports.

For orders and enquiries contact your Bickers Powersports Area Sales Manager, or visit www.bickers-online.co.uk, call 01394 604040, or email sales@bickerspowersports.co.uk