JAXA's MMX Mission to Sample Phobos by 2031

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is preparing to launch its Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission in October, marking the first time the agency will attempt a sample‑return from the Martian system. The spacecraft will travel to Phobos, Mars’ largest moon, arriving in 2027. If the landing and sampling operations succeed, MMX will bring a 2‑kilogram core sample back to Earth in 2031, providing the first direct material from the Martian satellite.

MMX’s objectives include studying Phobos’ composition, structure, and origin to better understand the evolution of the Mars system. The mission will also test new technologies for landing on low‑gravity bodies and for safe return of extraterrestrial samples, building on JAXA’s experience with the Hayabusa and Hayabusa2 missions. The data and samples are expected to offer insights into the moon’s surface chemistry, potential water content, and its relationship to Mars.

The successful completion of MMX would represent a significant milestone for planetary science and international cooperation in space exploration. By delivering the first Phobos sample to Earth, JAXA will provide researchers worldwide with unprecedented material to analyze, potentially advancing knowledge of Mars’ history and the broader processes that shape planetary bodies.