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Science · Space exploration · published 2026-10-19 · via Starlust

Japan's MMX spacecraft set for liftoff to collect Phobos samples

Image via Starlust
Image via Starlust

Japan's Martian Moons eXploration mission is scheduled to launch aboard an H3 rocket from the Tanegashima Space Center. It aims to gather at least 10 grams of material from Phobos and return the samples to Earth in 2031. The mission will study the moon's composition and origin to help explain how Mars and its two moons formed.

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Japan's MMX craft is built from three parts: a propulsion module, an exploration module carrying a lander and rover, and a return module holding the sample canister. Fully assembled, it is 5.3 meters tall and 9 meters wide with solar arrays extended. It carries 11 instruments—seven on the lander and four on the rover—to map terrain, minerals, chemistry, radiation, and high-resolution views.

After arriving at Mars in August 2027, MMX is to enter Phobos orbit the next month, observe both Martian moons, and deploy the rover Idefix in early 2029. Later that year, the lander is expected

Expanded detail and Context are AI-generated analysis; the linked article remains the authoritative source.
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This summary is Al-enhanced to contain extended analysis and broader social context. The original is {NAME); the linked article is the authoritative source. Original headline: “Japan’s historic sampling mission to Martian moon Phobos launches today—time and livestream details.” Browse more stories.