GoKawiilJAXA launches MMX spacecraft on five-year Mars moon sample-return mission
Japan's space agency JAXA launched the Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) spacecraft Monday aboard an H3 rocket from Tanegashima Space Center, kicking off a five-year mission to land on Phobos, the largest Martian moon, and bring samples back to Earth. The $578 million spacecraft separated successfully about 71 minutes after liftoff, deployed its solar panels, and reported stable contact with ground controllers, JAXA officials said.
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A successful sample return from Phobos would be a world first and could reveal whether the moon is a captured asteroid or debris from a giant impact on Mars, reshaping understanding of how the Martian system formed. The mission also tests Japan's upgraded H3 rocket in a demanding interplanetary role, which could bolster JAXA's standing in future deep-space exploration alongside NASA and other agencies.
- JAXA's MMX spacecraft launched on an H3 rocket toward Phobos, Mars' largest moon.
- The mission aims to be the first ever to return samples from a Martian moon to Earth.
- The roughly $578 million project involves a 10-month cruise to Mars followed by years of operations before sample return.
Celestron NexStar 4SE Telescope — While JAXA's spacecraft heads to Phobos, you can get your own view of Mars and its moons' home planet from your backyard. This telescope's computerized mount makes it easy to locate and track Mars as it moves across the night sky, letting you follow along with the real exploration happening millions of miles away.
See Celestron NexStar 4SE Telescope on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: arstechnica.com, 2026-10-20
Published there as: “Japan launches mission to bring home a piece of the Martian moon Phobos”
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