JAPAN LAUNCHES WORLD’S FIRST MISSION TO SAMPLE MARTIAN MOON PHOBOS

Tue 20 October 2026:

MMX probe enters planned orbit after H3 rocket lift-off; samples expected back on Earth in 2031

Japan successfully launched a spacecraft Tuesday on the world’s first mission to collect rock and sand samples from a Martian moon, the country’s space agency said.

The Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) probe separated successfully from an H3 rocket and entered its planned orbit, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) announced, according to Kyodo News Agency. The rocket lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center in southwestern Japan at 4.41 am local time (1941 GMT Monday).

JAXA project manager Makoto Arita said the spacecraft had reached its planned orbit with “exceptional precision.”

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Journey to Phobos and sample collection

The 4,480-kilogram spacecraft will travel to Phobos, the larger of Mars’ two moons, and is scheduled to enter Martian orbit in August 2027. A French-German rover will first land on Phobos, followed by two planned landings by the Japanese spacecraft to collect samples. The probe will subsequently observe Mars’ second moon, Deimos, before departing Martian orbit in November 2030. It is expected to return samples to Earth in July 2031.

Phobos, the larger of Mars’ two moons, is seen in this undated image taken by NASA’s High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. | NASA / via REUTERS

Prime minister welcomes historic effort

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi welcomed the launch, expressing hope that the historic mission would succeed.

The launch was originally scheduled for 2024 but was delayed following the failure of the H3 rocket’s maiden flight in 2023. The international MMX mission seeks to determine how Mars’ moons formed and advance technologies for future planetary exploration.

The modern Moon race is a multi-nation, multi-sector push to establish lasting human and robotic presence on the lunar surface, driven by science, resources, and strategic advantage.

Unlike the Cold War contest between the United States and Soviet Union, today’s race involves the U.S., China, India, Japan, Europe, Russia, and private companies. The U.S.-led Artemis program aims to return astronauts to the Moon—targeting a crewed landing in the late 2020s—and build a sustainable base with partners including Japan, Europe, Canada, and others. NASA relies heavily on commercial partners such as SpaceX’s Starship for landing systems.

China is advancing rapidly through its Chang’e robotic missions and the planned International Lunar Research Station with Russia and other collaborators. Beijing has stated ambitions for a crewed lunar landing around 2030. India demonstrated soft-landing capability with Chandrayaan-3 in 2023 and continues lunar science and exploration plans.

Japan has achieved precision landings and, as of 2026, is advancing missions that include sample-return concepts related to the broader planetary system.

Key motivations include accessing water ice in permanently shadowed craters for fuel and life support, testing technologies for Mars, scientific discovery, and securing long-term strategic footholds. Commercial players add speed and lower costs, while international cooperation and competition both shape the timeline.

By the early 2030s, multiple nations are expected to have landed hardware and crews, shifting the Moon from a distant target to an active domain of exploration and presence.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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