Japan launches MMX mission to collect sample from Martian moon Phobos
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency launched its uncrewed MMX mission to collect surface samples from Phobos and explore the origin of the Martian moons.
FTMQ Space, written by our newsroom0 views
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency launched the uncrewed Martian Moons Exploration spacecraft on October 19, 2026, The Daily Galaxy reported. The robotic probe is travelling approximately 140 million miles toward Mars to collect samples from Phobos, the larger of the two Martian moons. [1][3]
The Daily Galaxy reported that the primary goal of the mission is to collect around 10 grams of rocky material from the surface of Phobos and return the sample to Earth. The spacecraft will land on Phobos and also deploy a rover onto its surface. In addition to landing on Phobos, the probe will perform flyby observations of Deimos and monitor the atmosphere of Mars. [1][3]
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency leads the international effort with assistance from NASA, the European Space Agency, and other global partners, according to The Daily Galaxy. Scientists hope the collected data and returned samples will reveal whether the moons are captured asteroids or debris created by a massive impact on Mars. [1][3]
In short
- The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency launched the MMX spacecraft on October 19, 2026.
- The uncrewed probe aims to collect about 10 grams of surface material from Phobos and return it to Earth.
- MMX will deploy a rover on Phobos and perform flyby observations of Deimos.
- NASA and the European Space Agency are providing support for the Japanese-led mission.
Sources
Every paragraph above points to the numbered items it rests on. Read the originals here.
- [1]Japan Is Sending a Spacecraft 140 Million Miles to Collect Just 10 Grams of Rock From a Mysterious Martian MoonThe Daily Galaxy, 11h ago (the report this story comes from)
Background
- [2]Second Sino-Japanese War on Wikipedia
- [3]Martian Moons eXploration on Wikipedia
- [4]A Million Miles Away (film) on Wikipedia
Our newsroom writes these reports with the help of software, from the 4 sources listed and nothing else, and checks them against those sources. Facts can still be wrong or move on; the originals are the record. Spotted a mistake? Write to daniel@monsterkong.com.
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