JAXA-led MMX set to launch toward Phobos sample return

MMX, led by JAXA, has listed launch dates of 2026-10-19 and 2026-10-20 for a mission to the Mars system. It is listed as the first mission intended to collect material from Phobos and bring that material to Earth.

The mission's listed launch dates are 2026-10-19 and 2026-10-20. Launch is from Tanegashima Space Center on an H3 rocket.

MMX is led by JAXA. NASA, CNES, DLR and ESA are listed as partners.

The mission's listed orbits are Mars and Phobos. Its listed firsts are orbiting Phobos, landing on a moon other than Earth's moon, collecting Phobos surface samples, and returning to Earth after a visit to the Mars system. It is also listed as the first mission to take a Phobos sample and return it to Earth.

The payload includes 11 science instruments. The main spacecraft payload includes seven science instruments, a radiation monitor, two high-resolution cameras and two sampling devices. The Idefix rover payload includes four science instruments.

For readers tracking the lunar industry, MMX is notable because its milestones involve a moon other than Earth's moon.

The mission lists JAXA as lead and NASA, CNES, DLR and ESA as partners, and it includes sample collection from Phobos with return to Earth.

MMX is listed with a landing date of 2030 on Phobos. The sample return capsule is listed with a landing site of Australia.