The Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) launched the Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) probe on October 20, 2026, using an H3 rocket from the Tanegashima Space Center. The mission aims to collect soil samples from the Martian moon Phobos and return them to Earth by 2031.
The 4.48-ton MMX probe carries a 25-kilogram rover named IDEFIX, developed by the French space agency CNES and the German Aerospace Center (DLR). IDEFIX will analyze the regolith and surface properties of Phobos before the main module attempts sample collection.
The probe features two sampling systems: a pneumatic sampler for loose surface material and a drill for subsurface samples. The mission aims to collect at least 10 grams of material from multiple locations to study the origin of Martian moons and potentially identify biosignatures.
Due to a 44-minute signal delay, the probe will perform autonomous landings using lidar and image analysis. It targets a 20-square-meter area with a landing precision of 10 meters. The mission is a collaborative effort involving NASA, ESA, CNES, and DLR.
