Japan's MMX Mission to Mars' Moons, with NASA Contributions, Prepares for October 20 Launch

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is preparing to launch its Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission on October 20, 2026. The mission aims to collect samples from Phobos and return them to Earth by 2031. NASA is contributing two scientific instruments, MEGANE and P-Sampler, which will help investigate the origins and evolution of Mars' two small moons.