Japan’s Martian Moons eXploration mission aims to study Phobos and Deimos, land on Phobos and bring samples back to Earth. In its October 21, 2026 update, JAXA confirmed completion of MMX’s initial critical operations, including solar-array deployment, spacecraft stabilisation and release of an antenna restraint. The mission plans to return samples in 2031. Their chemistry could help scientists investigate how Mars’s moons formed. Sample collection and return remain future mission goals.
News context: this Short reports JAXA’s October 21, 2026 milestone. Status checked October 23, 2026.
Sources:
https://global.jaxa.jp/press/2026/10/20261021-1_e.html
https://www.isas.jaxa.jp/en/missions/spacecraft/current/mmx.html
https://www.mmx.jaxa.jp/en/
https://youtube.com/shorts/xRKzwP1XXlA
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