Japan is about to attempt something no spacecraft has ever done. In October 2026, JAXA plans to launch its Martian Moons eXploration mission toward Phobos,

Japan is about to attempt something no spacecraft has ever done. In October 2026, JAXA plans to launch its Martian Moons eXploration mission toward Phobos, the larger of Mars two moons. The spacecraft will circle Phobos for years, drop a small rover onto its surface, then land briefly to collect more than ten grams of rock and dust 🚀. Scientists still do not know if Phobos formed from debris blasted off Mars or is a captured asteroid.

JAXA is working with NASA and the European Space Agency, and the samples will reach Earth in 2031 🌌. It is strange to think a tiny scoop of dust could rewrite what we know about our neighboring planet. Somewhere on Phobos, the story of Mars may already be written 🪐.
Sources:
JAXA MMX mission overview, mmx.jaxa.jp
ESA MMX factsheet, esa.int
NASA MMX mission page, science.nasa.gov
The Planetary Society, planetary.org

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