Martian Moons eXploration (MMX)
JAXA, with CNES, DLR and NASA contributions · Mars, Phobos and Deimos
Travelling towards Mars after its successful H3 launch, with Phobos sampling and an Earth return planned for 2031.
At a glance
- Phase
- cruise
- Operator
- JAXA, with CNES, DLR and NASA contributions
- Destination
- Mars, Phobos and Deimos
- Next milestone
- Planned arrival in the Mars system in 2027, followed by observations and Phobos sampling
- Last verified
- 20 October 2026
Where it stands
Launched on H3 Flight 10 on 19 October 2026 at 19:41:03 UTC, corresponding to 20 October in Japan. JAXA confirmed successful separation about 1 hour 11 minutes after liftoff.
The mission
MMX is Japan’s mission to study the origin of Mars’s moons and return samples from Phobos. Its mission plan spans roughly five years: launch in 2026, arrival at Mars in 2027, observations of Phobos and Deimos, departure from Mars in 2030 and a sample return to Earth in 2031. The spacecraft carries the French-German Idefix rover to examine the surface before sampling. Later dates are planned mission milestones.
Latest reporting
Related
Sources
- jaxa.jp · https://www.jaxa.jp/press/2026/10/20261020-1_j.html
- mmx.jaxa.jp · https://www.mmx.jaxa.jp/en/mission/