Japan's space agency has launched a mission to the Martian moon Phobos, with the goal of retrieving samples to bring back to Earth. The Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission, which cost $578 million, took off from the Tanegashima Space Center on October 20, 2026. This five-year expedition aims to enhance understanding of the Solar System's formation. The spacecraft was launched using a newly configured H3 rocket, which is Japan's most ambitious interplanetary mission to date.
Key facts
- Japan's MMX mission launched on October 20, 2026.
- The mission aims to collect samples from Phobos, Mars' largest moon.
- The launch cost is $578 million.
- The spacecraft lifted off from Tanegashima Space Center.
- The H3 rocket used features a new configuration with four solid rocket boosters.
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