Phobos and Deimos
Martian Moon eXplorer (MMX)
MMX will land on Phobos, collect samples, deploy a rover, and return them to Earth as Japan's Martian moon exploration mission.
Go for Launch
View in 3D map ↗Official mission site ↗The mission
The Martian Moon eXplorer (MMX) is JAXA's sample-return mission to Phobos. It will sample the moon's surface, deploy a small French/German rover, and return the material to Earth for recovery in Australia.
The launch
- Launch
- October 20, 2026, 04:41:03 JST
- Launch location
- Tanegashima Space Center, Japan
- Launch vehicle
- H3 F10
- Orbit
- Mars orbit
Mission timeline
Follow the mission through its available trajectory data in the full 3D solar-system map.
- Now
Launch scheduled
October 20, 2026, 04:41 JST · Earth
JAXA says MMX is scheduled to launch at 04:41:03 JST on October 20, 2026.
Open milestone source ↗Objectives
- 01
Land on Phobos and collect surface samples.
- 02
Deploy a small rover to explore Phobos up close.
- 03
Return samples to Earth for recovery and analysis.
- 04
Advance understanding of the Martian moon system.
Spacecraft
Martian Moon eXplorer (MMX)
Primary sample-return spacecraft for Phobos exploration and Earth return.
- Manufacturer
- JAXA
MMX rover
Small rover intended to explore the Phobos surface after deployment from MMX.
- Manufacturer
- French and German partners
Sample return capsule
Capsule intended to return Phobos samples to Earth for recovery in Australia.
- Manufacturer
- JAXA
Gallery
0 images from Martian Moon eXplorer (MMX).
No mission imagery is available yet.
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