Japan unveils Mars moon sample-return spacecraft ahead of Oct. 19 launch (photos)
Japan's space agency, JAXA, has unveiled its MMX spacecraft, which is designed to collect samples from the Martian moon Phobos. The mission is scheduled to launch in October 2026 following previous delays.
Why it matters
This mission represents a historic attempt to return samples from a Martian moon, which could provide new insights into the formation of the solar system.
Solar System Mars Japan unveils Mars moon sample-return spacecraft ahead of Oct. 19 launch (photos) News By Mike Wall Published 21 August 2026 The MMX mission will grab samples of the Mars moon Phobos and haul them to Earth.
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Click for next article The Propulsion Module (left) and Exploration and Return Modules (right), which together make up Japan's Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) spacecraft, are seen at the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane, Kagoshima prefecture on Aug. 13, 2026. (Image via Getty Images) Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter The world just got its first good looks at some hardware that will make spaceflight history.
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