Japan’s Mars mission readies for launch, aiming to unlock life’s mysteries with Phobos samples

Japan is preparing to launch its Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission to study Phobos and Deimos, Mars’ two moons, and bring samples from Phobos back to Earth by 2031. Led by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the mission aims to investigate how the moons formed and uncover clues about the Solar System’s origins and Mars’ past. The spacecraft will study Phobos, attempt two landings to collect at least 10 grams of soil, and fly by Deimos. The mission may contribute to planning future human exploration of the Martian region.