JAXA prepares to launch MMX mission to Martian moon Phobos for sample return in 2031

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is preparing to launch its Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission to Phobos, one of Mars's moons, on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. The mission aims to collect at least 10 grams of material from Phobos and return it to Earth in 2031, providing scientists with the first samples from the Martian system to study the origin and evolution of Mars and its moons. The mission is a multinational effort with contributions from NASA, ESA, DLR, and CNES.