JAXA Prepares MMX Mission to Phobos, with NASA Contributions, for 2031 Sample Return

Japan's JAXA is preparing to launch its Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission towards Phobos on October 19, aiming to collect at least 10 grams of material and return samples to Earth in 2031. NASA is contributing two scientific instruments, MEGANE and P-Sampler, to help determine if Phobos and Deimos are captured asteroids or collision remnants. The mission is scheduled to reach Mars in 2027 and begin detailed observations of Phobos.