Japan's MMX spacecraft is set to launch to bring back samples from a Martian moon

Summary

Japan's MMX mission is set to launch a spacecraft to retrieve rock samples from one of Mars's moons, which would be the first such sample return to the Mars system. Science News reports that MMX will be the first mission to visit the moons of Mars, and that it aims to bring back samples, perhaps even indirectly from Mars. Scientific American reports that the first mission to sample Mars's moons launches today and will travel all the way to the Mars system and return. Phys.org reports that Japanese scientists will launch the spacecraft on Tuesday, aiming to be the first to retrieve samples from one of Mars's moons, and says this could help unlock the origins of the solar system and life on Earth. The BBC reports that the mission will bring about 10 grams of Martian moon dust back to Earth. The outlets differ on timing: Scientific American says the launch is today, while Phys.org says Tuesday.

Timeline

1. Science News

   19 Oct 2026, 13:00 UTCSource ↗

   Science News reports that Japan's MMX mission will be the first to visit the moons of Mars and aims to bring back rock samples, perhaps even indirectly from Mars.

2. Scientific American

   19 Oct 2026, 15:20 UTCSource ↗

   Scientific American reports that the first mission to sample Mars's moons launches today and will travel all the way to the Mars system and return.

3. Phys.org

   19 Oct 2026, 19:30 UTCSource ↗

   Phys.org reports that Japanese scientists will launch a spacecraft on Tuesday that aims to be the first to retrieve samples from one of Mars's moons, potentially helping unlock the origins of the solar system and life on Earth.

4. BBC

   19 Oct 2026, 19:45 UTCSource ↗

   The BBC reports that a spacecraft is set to launch on an ambitious mission to bring about 10 grams of Martian moon dust back to Earth.