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The US space agency NASA, in collaboration with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), has completed preparations for a historic mission to explore Mars’ two moons, Phobos and Deimos.
The US space agency NASA, in collaboration with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), has completed preparations for a historic mission to explore Mars’ two moons, Phobos and Deimos. The mission is scheduled to launch on October 19. Its primary objective is to collect samples from Phobos and bring them back to Earth, helping scientists uncover some of the most ancient and significant mysteries surrounding Mars.
Rather than focusing directly on the Red Planet itself, NASA is strongly supporting JAXA’s Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission. The advanced uncrewed spacecraft will conduct a detailed survey of both Martian moons and attempt a landing on one of them. The ambitious mission also aligns with NASA’s broader Artemis programme, which aims to prepare for future human exploration deeper into the solar system.
The mission is scheduled to begin on October 19 with a launch from JAXA’s Tanegashima Space Center in Japan. After its journey through space, the spacecraft is expected to reach Mars orbit in August 2027. The collection of scientific samples from Phobos is not expected to begin before December 2028. The valuable samples are scheduled to be returned safely to Earth by 2031.
According to scientists, these small, asteroid-like moons may be remnants of a large object that collided with Mars, or they may be asteroids captured by the planet’s gravitational field. The mission will investigate the moons in detail, focusing particularly on the original composition of Phobos’ surface. The findings could help scientists unravel the mysteries of how the moons formed and evolved. Understanding their origins could provide important insights into how the early terrestrial planets, including Earth, acquired water and organic compounds. The scientific samples returned to Earth are also expected to support preparations for future human missions to Mars.
NASA is working closely with JAXA through its Discovery Program to support the mission. As part of its contribution, NASA is providing the MEGANE gamma-ray and neutron spectrometer for the MMX spacecraft. The instrument will help scientists study the composition of Phobos and support the mission’s scientific investigations. In addition, NASA will receive approximately 15 percent of the returned samples at its Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science (ARES) division at the Johnson Space
