Japan launches MMX spacecraft on first round trip mission to Mars

Japan launched the Martian Moons Exploration mission on October 19, 2026, setting off on the world's first round-trip journey to Mars. Live Science and the Hindustan Times both report that the uncrewed spacecraft took off from Japan to begin its voyage to the Red Planet. As FTMQ Space reported earlier, the uncrewed mission aims to collect surface samples from the Martian moon Phobos and return them to Earth. [1][2][7]

Live Science reported that after reaching the Martian system, the probe will attempt to land on one of the twin moons of Mars to scoop up rocks. Experts told Live Science that returning these samples to Earth could prove to be a transformative step for scientific understanding. [1]

The origin of the two irregularly shaped Martian moons, Phobos and Deimos, remains uncertain. Proposed scientific explanations include captured asteroids or debris produced by a giant impact on Mars. Current human activity on Mars is limited to robotic landers, rovers, and a helicopter, with humans having traveled no further than the Moon. [4][6]

As FTMQ Space reported earlier, the Martian Moons Exploration mission represents an international collaboration involving Japanese, United States, and European space agencies. The returned materials are expected to provide insights into planetary science and solar system history. [1][7]