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A new surface atlas of Phobos will help MMX mission collect its samples

A new surface atlas of Phobos will help MMX mission collect its samples
Phys.org Friday 11 September 2026, 13:20 UTC 1 min read
Key Points

Thanks to JAXA, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and its sample-return capabilities, we're on the cusp of receiving our first sample from the Martian system—not from Mars itself, but from its largest moon, Phobos. JAXA's Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission is set to launch in October. It will reach Phobos in 2027 and, if successful, return a sample from the moon to Earth in 2031.

Thanks to JAXA, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and its sample-return capabilities, we're on the cusp of receiving our first sample from the Martian system—not from Mars itself, but from its largest moon, Phobos. JAXA's Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission is set to launch in October. It will reach Phobos in 2027 and, if successful, return a sample from the moon to Earth in 2031.
Phobos (LOCATION) JAXA (PERSON) the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (ORG) Martian (ORG) Mars (LOCATION) Martian Moons eXploration (MMX (ORG) Earth (LOCATION)
Originally published by Phys.org Read original →

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