Japan’s MMX mission aims to collect a sample from Phobos

Summary

Japan’s MMX mission aims to collect soil from Mars’ moon Phobos and investigate the origins of Phobos and Deimos. NASA says it is playing an important role in the mission, which also aims to deliver a sample. The Conversation says the mission could help resolve how the two moons formed.

Timeline

1. NASA

   15 Oct 2026, 19:58 UTCSource ↗

   NASA reports that it is playing an important role in JAXA’s MMX mission, which aims to characterize Mars’ moons Phobos and Deimos, investigate their origins and deliver a sample.

2. The Conversation

   16 Oct 2026, 09:18 UTCSource ↗

   The Conversation reports that Japan’s MMX mission aims to collect soil from Phobos and could help resolve how Mars’ two moons formed.