# Japan Launches Historic Mission to Retrieve Martian Moon Samples The MMX spacecraft aims to unlock secrets of Phobos and future Mars exploration. - **Source:** [ABC News: Technology](http://abcnews.com) - **Published:** 2026-10-18 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/dd3de65d-b96f-4704-a049-1d840cca2767 ## Pioneering Martian Moon Exploration Japan is launching a groundbreaking mission to retrieve soil samples from Phobos, a small moon orbiting Mars. This project marks the world's first attempt to bring back material from a Martian moon. Scientists anticipate the five-year journey will provide critical insights into the formation of Phobos and potentially the origins of life. ## Strategic Importance of Phobos Project manager Yasuhiro Kawakatsu describes Martian moons as the most important unclimbed mountains in the solar system. These bodies have never been fully investigated, despite their potential to serve as a base for future manned missions to Mars. Understanding their composition is essential for planning long-term human exploration of the red planet. ## International Collaboration and Technology The mission is led by JAXA but features significant international cooperation. NASA provides a sampling device and communication support, while France and Germany developed a rover named Idefix. The European Space Agency contributes deep space communication technology. This collaborative effort utilizes the new Japanese H-3 rocket to propel the five-ton spacecraft. ## Scientific Objectives and Methodology Researchers aim to collect at least 10 grams of soil using both pressurized gas and coring methods. By sampling from multiple locations, the team hopes to find traces of microbial life from Mars. The collected material is expected to contain approximately 0.1% Martian debris, offering a unique window into the planet's history. ## The Role of Idefix Rover Before the main spacecraft lands, the French-German rover Idefix will explore the surface for 100 days starting around 2029. Its primary task is to provide topographical data to ensure a safe landing site. The rover is designed to navigate low-gravity environments and can right itself if it tips over during operations. ## Engineering Challenges in Microgravity Landing on the crater-pocked moon is difficult due to its extremely low gravity, which is only one two-thousandth of Earth's. To prevent bouncing during touchdown, the MMX exploration module features specialized four-legged landing gear with shock absorption. The spacecraft must complete its sampling process within a tight two-hour window once it touches down. ## Historical Context and Precedents Japan has successfully returned asteroid samples twice before, during the Hayabusa missions in 2010 and 2020. In contrast, previous Russian attempts to land on Phobos, including a 2011 mission, have failed. JAXA aims to build on its proven track record to finally unlock the mysteries surrounding these two irregular, potato-shaped Martian moons. ## Future Implications for Spaceflight The MMX spacecraft will return to Earth in 2031, landing in Australia with its precious cargo stored in a heat-protected capsule. Analyzing these samples will clarify whether Phobos is a captured asteroid or debris from a massive impact on Mars. This data will fundamentally shape the strategy for future human-crewed Mars missions. ## Sources covering this story - https://abcnews.com/Technology/wireStory/japan-launch-spacecraft-mission-samples-martian-moon-137355946 — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._