Japan launches MMX on its mission to sample the Martian moon Phobos
JAXA confirmed the spacecraft separated successfully after launch aboard H3. Arrival at Mars is planned for 2027, with samples due back on Earth in 2031.
Share this article
Japan’s space agency JAXA launched MMX from Tanegashima aboard H3 flight No. 10. Liftoff was at 04:41:03 Japanese time on 20 October — 22:41:03 on 19 October in Bulgaria.
The agency said separation was confirmed about 71 minutes and 13 seconds after liftoff, with the spacecraft entering its intended orbit. This confirms the initial flight stage, not completion of the entire mission.
MMX aims to investigate the Martian moons and return roughly 10 grams of material from Phobos. The plan calls for arrival near Mars in 2027, observations and sample collection, as well as study of Deimos. Returning the capsule to Earth is a goal for 2031: these later stages remain ahead.
Sources: JAXA — launch result, 20 October 2026; MMX — mission goals and schedule.
Illustration: NASA / Unsplash, Unsplash License. Simulated view of Mars, not an image from MMX. Cropped to 1200×675 px.
