Japan is launching a spacecraft destined for Mars's moons, aiming to bring back a Mars moon sample for terrestrial examination.
In October 2026, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) will launch the Mars Moons eXploration (MMX) mission, a pioneering space expedition aimed at studying Mars' two moons, Phobos and Deimos, and returning samples from Phobos to Earth [1][2].
The MMX mission is unique in its combined objectives and techniques. Unlike many missions that observe or orbit Mars or its moons, MMX aims to bring back physical samples from Phobos, marking a significant step in space exploration [1][2].
Key Features of the MMX Mission
- Sample Return from a Martian Moon: MMX plans to collect a minimum of 10 grams of samples from Phobos by landing on it and digging up material down to 2 cm depth, a technically challenging feat at this distance from Earth [1][2].
- Rover Deployment on Phobos: The mission will deploy a small rover (IDFIX) on the moon’s surface, an unusual approach since other missions to small bodies have typically relied on landers or orbiters, not mobile rovers on such tiny, low-gravity objects [1].
- Extended In-situ Investigation Combined with Sample Collection: MMX will spend months observing Mars and its moons, including orbiting Mars, multiple flybys of Deimos, and 100 days of rover operation on Phobos, a longer duration than many other missions [1][2].
Scientific Goals of the MMX Mission
The primary goal of MMX is to determine the origin of Phobos and Deimos - whether they are captured asteroids, remnants of Mars debris, or formed by another process. This information is crucial for understanding both Mars’ history and the early solar system [3].
Partnership and Collaboration
JAXA is leading the MMX mission, with contributions from NASA, CNES (France), DLR (Germany), ESA, MELCO, and LIRA. The mission will carry the Super Hi-Vision Camera, an 8K-capable camera that will capture the highest-resolution images of Mars and its moons ever taken. These images will be stored on a hard drive and transmitted back to Earth upon the spacecraft’s return in 2031 [1].
MMX builds on JAXA's prior asteroid sample return missions (Hayabusa, Hayabusa2) by applying similar sample return principles to Mars’ moons, but with additional complexity due to the mission’s multi-objective profile (rover, orbiting, sample return) [2][4].
Key Facts about the MMX Mission
- Launch date: October 2026
- Landing & sampling: Phobos with sample return of at least 10 g
- Rover: IDEFIX rover operating ~100 days on Phobos
- Orbit activities: Orbit Mars (August 2027), orbit Phobos (September 2027)
- Sample return date: July 2031 - samples land in Australian desert
- Partners: JAXA (lead), CNES (France), DLR (Germany), NASA, ESA, MELCO, LIRA
In summary, MMX is a groundbreaking mission that combines orbiters, a surface rover, and sample return for a comprehensive campaign to solve fundamental questions while pushing technical boundaries for outer solar system exploration [1][5]. This unique mission blends planetary science, retro-engineered asteroid-return techniques, and robotic surface exploration technologies aimed specifically at Mars' enigmatic moons.
- The MMX mission, launched by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) in 2026, is a significant venture in space exploration, as it aims to bring back physical samples from Mars' moon, Phobos.
- Unlike many other missions, MMX will deploy a small rover, IDFIX, on Phobos' surface, marking an unusual approach in the study of small celestial bodies.
- In the realm of space science, the MMX mission seeks to determine the origin of Mars' moons, Phobos and Deimos, providing crucial insights into Mars' history and the solar system's early stages.
- This mission, a collaboration between JAXA, NASA, CNES, DLR, ESA, MELCO, and LIRA, will capture the highest-resolution images of Mars and its moons ever taken, using advanced technology such as the Super Hi-Vision Camera.
- By combining orbiters, a surface rover, and sample return, MMX represents a pioneering venture in planetary science, space-and-astronomy, environmental-science, and technology, with a scheduled return of samples in 2031.
