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Japan has launched a landmark space mission to collect rock and soil samples from Phobos, one of Mars’ two moons, and bring them back to Earth by 2031. The JAXA-led mission aims to unravel the mysteries surrounding the origins of the Martian moons and the evolution of the Solar System.

 

News Desk: Japan has successfully launched its ambitious Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission, marking a significant milestone in planetary exploration. The spacecraft lifted off aboard the H3 rocket from the Tanegashima Space Center in southwestern Japan at 4:41 a.m. Japan Standard Time on October 20, 2026.

Led by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the mission aims to explore Mars’ two natural satellites, Phobos and Deimos, with a primary focus on collecting samples from Phobos. The spacecraft is expected to reach the Martian system in 2027 and return the collected material to Earth in 2031.

If successful, MMX will become the first mission to bring back samples from a moon of Mars, providing scientists with an unprecedented opportunity to study material from the Martian system in laboratories on Earth.

Mission Targets at Least 10 Grams of Phobos Material

One of the principal objectives of the MMX mission is to collect at least 10 grams of rock and soil, known as regolith, from the surface of Phobos. The spacecraft is designed to conduct two sampling operations at different locations to obtain material for detailed scientific analysis.

Unlike observations made by orbiting spacecraft, samples returned to Earth can be examined using advanced laboratory instruments capable of revealing their mineral composition, chemical properties and formation history.

The spacecraft will carry a range of scientific instruments to study the moon’s surface, internal structure, gravity and composition. These observations will help researchers select suitable sampling locations and better understand the environment in which Phobos evolved.

Unravelling the Mystery Behind Mars’ Two Moons

The origins of Phobos and Deimos remain among the major unanswered questions in planetary science. Scientists have long debated whether the two moons are asteroids captured by Mars’ gravity or formed from debris thrown into space following a massive impact on the Red Planet.

Both theories offer possible explanations for the moons’ unusual characteristics, but conclusive evidence remains limited.

By analysing material collected directly from Phobos, researchers hope to determine its composition and identify clues about how it formed. The findings could also help establish whether the moon contains material originating from Mars itself.

The mission will additionally observe Deimos, the smaller and more distant of Mars’ two moons, allowing scientists to compare the pair and investigate whether they share a common origin.

Five-Year Journey to the Martian System

The MMX spacecraft is expected to reach the vicinity of Mars in August 2027, following a journey of approximately one year. It will then conduct detailed observations of Phobos before beginning its planned surface exploration and sampling operations.

A small rover developed through cooperation between France and Germany will help examine Phobos’ surface and provide information about the terrain. Its observations are expected to assist the mission team in understanding the moon’s surface conditions and identifying suitable areas for exploration.

The main spacecraft is scheduled to carry out its sampling operations during its stay in the Martian system, which is expected to continue until 2030. It will then begin its return journey, with the sample-containing capsule scheduled to reach Earth in 2031.

The capsule is expected to be recovered in Australia, where the collected material can be transferred for scientific examination.

 

The mission will proceed through several stages:

  • 2026: Launch from Japan aboard the H3 rocket.

  • 2027: Arrival at Mars and the beginning of observations of its moons.

  • 2027–2030: Detailed surveys of Phobos, deployment of a small exploration rover and planned surface-sampling operations.

  • 2030: Departure from the Martian system for the return journey to Earth.

  • 2031: Delivery of the collected samples in a dedicated re-entry capsule, scheduled to land in Australia.

JAXA plans to collect samples from two locations on Phobos, with the goal of securing at least 10 grams of material. The mission will also study Deimos and gather observations to help scientists better understand the wider Martian environment.

 

International Collaboration Strengthens the Mission

Although JAXA leads the MMX project, the mission involves international cooperation with NASA, the French National Centre for Space Studies (CNES), the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the European Space Agency (ESA).

NASA has contributed scientific instrumentation, including the MEGANE instrument, which will measure gamma rays and neutrons to help determine the elemental composition of Phobos. European partners have contributed scientific expertise, technological support and the rover designed to explore the moon’s surface.

The collaboration combines expertise in spacecraft engineering, planetary science, surface exploration and sample-return technology. It also reflects the growing importance of international partnerships in undertaking complex deep-space missions.

Building on Japan’s Asteroid Sample-Return Success

The MMX mission builds on Japan’s experience with the Hayabusa and Hayabusa2 asteroid missions, which successfully returned samples from asteroids Itokawa and Ryugu, respectively.

Those missions demonstrated Japan’s ability to travel to small celestial bodies, conduct close-range operations and deliver extraterrestrial material to Earth for scientific study.

However, MMX presents a substantially different challenge. The spacecraft must travel to the Martian system, operate around a moon in a complex gravitational environment, collect samples from its surface and safely transport them back across interplanetary distances.

The technologies developed for the mission could also support future exploration of planetary moons and other small celestial bodies.

Why the Phobos Mission Matters

Beyond determining the origins of Mars’ moons, MMX could offer valuable insights into the formation and evolution of the Solar System. The samples may reveal how material moved between different regions of the early planetary system and how water-bearing and organic materials were distributed.

Although the mission is not designed primarily to search for extraterrestrial life, its findings could contribute to broader scientific investigations into the conditions that support habitability on rocky planets.

The mission will also advance technologies needed for future robotic and potentially human exploration of Mars and its surrounding environment.

If successful, Japan’s MMX mission will deliver a new collection of extraterrestrial material for researchers to study, potentially resolving long-standing questions about Phobos and Deimos. With the samples expected to arrive in 2031, the mission could mark a defining moment in humanity’s efforts to understand the Red Planet and the wider Solar System.

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