Japan's Martian Moons Mission Set for October Launch
By Editor • August 20, 2026 • 1 min read
On October 20, Japan will embark on a groundbreaking journey to Mars’s moons with its Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) probe. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) announced that the uncrewed mission will launch from Tanegashima Space Center at 4:41 a.m.
Collaboration with U.S. and European space agencies, along with various universities and tech companies, underscores the mission's significance in understanding the solar system's origins.
Over three years, the MMX will orbit Mars and aim to land on Phobos, collecting at least 10 grams of material. Meanwhile, the IDEFIX rover will perform surface observations, and the spacecraft will study Deimos without landing. The mission's return capsule is scheduled to reach Earth in 2031, potentially offering insights into the formation of Mars and its moons.
Source: www.japantimes.co.jp
