Japan Launches Mission to Mars Moon Phobos for Sample Return

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) launched its Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission on October 19, 2026, at 19:41:03 UTC (October 20, 2026, 04:41 JST) from the Tanegashima Space Center in Japan[6][8]. This uncrewed five-year mission aims to be the first to bring at least 10 grams of dust, soil, and rocks back from Phobos, one of Mars' two moons[1][4][6][7].

The mission seeks to resolve a long-standing mystery regarding the origin of Mars' moons. Understanding their formation could provide insights into the early solar system and the conditions for the emergence of life[4][6][8].

What the records show

Led by JAXA, the MMX mission was first announced on June 9, 2015, and officially approved for development by JAXA and the Japanese government on February 19, 2020[6]. The total project cost is approximately $578 million[4]. The MMX probe arrived at Japan's Tanegashima Space Center on March 31, 2026, for launch preparations[6]. The spacecraft carries thirteen scientific instruments, including MEGANE, MIRS, and LIDAR[6][7]. Kawakatsu Yasuhiro serves as JAXA's Project Manager, joined by Deputy Project Manager Otake Hisashi and Principal Investigator Kuramoto Kiyoshi[13].

The timeline

Following its October 2026 launch, the MMX spacecraft is expected to journey for about one year, arriving at Mars in August 2027[7][9]. From 2027 to 2030, the spacecraft will enter a quasi-satellite orbit around Phobos for detailed observations[6][7]. The mission plans up to two landings on Phobos in 2029 to collect samples[5]. After sample collection, the spacecraft is slated to return to Earth in 2031[4][6][7][10]. The mission will also perform flyby observations of Deimos, Mars' other moon, and monitor Mars' climate[6].

What changed and for whom

MMX represents an international collaboration led by JAXA, with contributions from several global space agencies[3][8][13]. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the U.S. provides the Mars-moon Exploration with Gamma rays and Neutrons (MEGANE) device, a pneumatic collection mechanism, and ground station support[11][12][13]. The European Space Agency (ESA) contributes deep space communication equipment and ground station support[11][13]. France's space agency (CNES) supplies the Infrared Spectrometer (MIRS) and collaborates with the German Aerospace Center (DLR) on the MMX Rover (Idefix)[11][13]. DLR also provides test equipment[11]. A trilateral Memorandum of Cooperation for the MMX rover was signed by JAXA, DLR, and CNES on June 20, 2023[11]. The Australian Space Agency has confirmed support in principle for the MMX sample return capsule landing in Australia[11].

What the subject has said publicly

Elliot Sefton-Nash, ESA MMX Project Scientist, stated, “The data and samples returned by MMX are a window to study the evolution of Mars and the Solar System”[8].

What we could not confirm

None.