World's first round-trip mission to Mars has launched — and could be a 'transformative leap' for science - Live Science
Japan's Martian Moons Exploration (MMX) mission has launched with the goal of landing on Phobos to collect and return soil samples to Earth. Scientists believe this mission will provide transformative insights into the history of Mars and the early solar system.
Why it matters
Sample-return missions represent a significant technological advancement in space exploration and planetary science.
The Martian Moons Exploration (MMX) mission, which launched from Japan on Oct. 19, is on its way to Mars. When it arrives, the probe will attempt to land on one of the Red Planet's twin moons and scoop up rocks to bring back to Earth. Experts tell Live Science what these "transformative" samples could teach us.
By Harry Baker Edited by Brandon Specktor , Laura Mondrag n Published 22 October 2026 In News MEMBER EXCLUSIVE When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's how it works .
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in