Japan to launch spacecraft on a mission to get samples from a Martian moon

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Japan to launch spacecraft on a mission to get samples from a Martian moon

2026-10-18 10:58 Last Updated At：11:10

TOKYO (AP) — Japan is set to launch a spacecraft on the world's first mission to bring back samples from Phobos, one of the two small, potato-shaped moons orbiting Mars.

Scientists hope the mission, which is expected to take five years, will provide clues to how Phobos and its smaller sibling Deimos formed, and hopefully even shed light on the origins of life in the solar system.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s launch of the spacecraft Tuesday on a new Japanese mainstay H-3 rocket comes as the United States, China and others consider sending astronauts to Mars.

Samples from Phobos will provide useful data for scientists to consider using a Martian moon as a base for a future manned mission to the planet, said MMX project manager Yasuhiro Kawakatsu.

“Despite their potential importance, Martian moons have never been fully investigated," Kawakatsu said. “They are known as the most important unclimbed mountains in the solar system."

Japan leads the international mission that includes equipment and communications support from NASA and other national space agencies.

Since the 1960s, dozens of missions have been sent to Mars, but its moons largely remain a mystery. Phobos and Deimos take their names from the Greek mythological personifications of fear and terror, sons of the war god Ares, whose Roman counterpart is Mars.

Multiple Russian attempts to land on Phobos, including one in 2011, have failed.

A key question will be how they formed and what they are made of. Some scientists think the two irregular crater-pocked bodies could be remnants of debris formed after a large celestial object crashed into Mars. Others say the moons could be asteroids that have come from elsewhere.

JAXA officials think samples from Phobos will provide answers.

“We can almost certainly come to a conclusion by analyzing (Phobos) soil samples," MMX principal investigator Kiyoshi Kuramoto said.

Scientists chose to collect samples from Phobos mainly because the moon is closer to Mars than Deimos and therefore may have more information about the planet. Material from Mars is expected to make up about 0.1% of the material collected from Phobos, JAXA officials say.

Phobos, about 20 to 30 kilometers (10 to 20 miles) in diameter, orbits Mars at a distance of about 6,000 kilometers (3,700 miles) three times a day.

Samples from Phobos could also shed light on the origin of Deimos as the two moons are believed to have similar roots, Kuramoto said. The mission also includes plans to fly by Deimos and collect observations.

It will be a long journey to reach the red planet, 55 million kilometers (34 million miles) away from Earth at their closest point.

After launching on the H3 rocket, the spacecraft will arrive at the Mars region a year later. Then it will fly near and around Phobos for three years to collect data and gather samples from the moon before returning home in 2031.

MMX is made up of three modules — for propulsion, exploration and return — and weighs about 5 tons. Only the third module will return home, with the samples stored in a capsule.

The spacecraft will carry 13 instruments, including a rover jointly developed by France and Germany that will land on the moon, as well as a NASA sampling device and instrument to measure gamma rays, and the European Space Agency's deep space communication device. A Japanese radiation monitor will collect data that can help a future manned Mars exploration.

The French-German rover Idefix lands on Phobos first. During a 100-day mission in around 2029, it will explore the surface of the moon to help the subsequent Japanese soil-sampling.

Once the MMX lands some time later, JAXA scientists aim to collect at least 10 grams (0.35 ounces) of soil from the moon from two sampling attempts using U.S. and Japanese methods.

NASA's sampling device uses pressurized gas to lift surface dust into a container, and JAXA's coring method will collect samples from a depth of about 2 centimeters (less than 1 inch).

In the first attempt, the MMX will collect surface and underground samples using both devices, and take additional underground samples in the second landing.

Scientists say collecting samples from multiple locations increases the chances of obtaining any potential traces of past microbial life from Mars.

The samples will be stored in a heat-protected capsule designed to survive reentry into Earth’s atmosphere. It’s expected to land in Australia before being sent back to Japan.

Japan’s two Hayabusa missions returned asteroid samples, the first in 2010 and again in 2020.

The spacecraft has to choose a relatively smooth and level site for its landing based on topographical data provided by the rover, and then collect samples within two hours.

Landing on the pockmarked moon, which has just one two-thousandth of Earth's gravity, is a challenge.

To minimize bouncing at touchdown, the MMX's exploration module is equipped with four-legged landing gear with shock absorption features.

The rover has wheels that can get traction in low gravity, right itself if it tips over, and move “at a snail's pace," JAXA said.

Pro Picks: 49ers will beat the Commanders to become the first 6-0 team in NFL this season

Dan Quinn is coming off one of the all-time worst coaching blunders. Kyle Shanahan's team is undefeated after beating the defending Super Bowl champions on the road.

The two coaches going in opposite directions meet Monday night when the Washington Commanders (1-3-1) visit the San Francisco 49ers (5-0).

They have history.

Shanahan was Quinn's offensive coordinator in Atlanta when the Falcons blew a 28-3 lead against Tom Brady and the Patriots in Super Bowl 51. Atlanta's time management was poor in that one.

Jayden Daniels had a big day running the ball against the Giants until forgetting to stop the clock with a spike. Brock Purdy is playing at an MVP level for the Niners. Christian McCaffrey is running with fresh legs and Mike Evans has been an excellent addition for San Francisco's depleted receiving corps.

The 49ers are 7 1/2-point favorites. Pro Picks was on the right side with Denver covering a 3-point spread but had the losing side straight up as the Broncos beat Seattle 17-14 Thursday night.

49ERS: 30-20

Line: Jaguars minus 3

C.J. Stroud is playing well, hasn’t thrown an interception and gets Marvin Harrison Jr. to add to his receiving corps. The Texans’ defense got on track after coach DeMeco Ryans took over play-calling duties from defensive coordinator Matt Burke. The Jaguars barely beat the undermanned Eagles last week. They’re 8-7 in London and 2-0 in the second of back-to-back games there. Houston is 13-3 in this series since 2018.

JAGUARS: 23-22

Line: Ravens minus 3

Lamar Jackson is out and the Ravens will again turn to Tyler Huntley, who played well in a win at Atlanta. Deshaun Watson was under duress much of the game last week in a loss to the Jets. The Browns need to get their offense on track. The Ravens are a league-best 21-7 on the road since 2023 and have won three straight in the series.

RAVENS: 22-16

Line: Panthers minus 3 1/2

Bryce Young leads the No. 1 passing offense against a pass defense that’s 26th despite two All-Pro cornerbacks. The Panthers are coming off a bye and are 11-6 ATS as an underdog since the start of the 2025 season. The Eagles are back from an international game and won't have Jalen Hurts because of a blood clot so Tanner McKee starts at quarterback. Teams off a bye facing teams following an overseas game are 4-0. Depleted Philadelphia was missing six offensive starters last week and still should have beat the Jaguars if not for a long kickoff return with 8 seconds left. The Eagles also blew a 10-point fourth-quarter lead against the Rams.

PANTHERS: 23-20

Line: Bears minus 3

Caleb Williams is expected to start after missing three straight game for the Bears. Tyson Bagent and Case Keenum both struggled against the Packers after each played well in starts. Michael Penix Jr. is expected to start if he doesn't have any setbacks to his injured rib. He's got Bijan Robinson to lean on. The All-Pro back leads the NFL with 580 yards rushing.

FALCONS: 24-23

Line: Saints minus 1 1/2

The Saints looked like potential contenders after losing to Detroit in overtime and beating the Ravens on the road. But they’re reeling after three straight losses at home. Yet, they’re somehow favorites on the road against a team that’s only lost once. Oddsmakers are disrespecting the Giants. Jameis Winston is 2-0-1 since replacing Jaxson Dart and faces one of his former teams. He’s done a decent job protecting the ball. Cam Skattebo needs to do the same.

UPSET SPECIAL: GIANTS: 20-17

Line: Patriots minus 7 1/2

The Jets are playing tough defense, Geno Smith hasn’t thrown an interception and there’s reason for optimism. The next step would be beating a division rival. The Patriots are banged-up on offense and in the secondary but Drake Maye is back to his 2025 form. New England’s injuries will keep this close.

PATRIOTS: 22-16

Line: Steelers minus 2 1/2

Aaron Rodgers, Jaylen Warren and the Steelers face a tough challenge against Tampa Bay’s seventh-ranked defense. Rodgers has thrown three TD passes in three straight games for the first time since his fourth MVP season in 2021. Undrafted rookie QB Jalon Daniels has impressed in Baker Mayfield’s absence. The Buccaneers were 0-13 ATS before beating Dallas on the road last Thursday.

STEELERS: 24-18

Line: Colts minus 7

Cam Ward is struggling in Brian Daboll’s offense and the Titans are last in the NFL in scoring 11.6 points. The Colts traded a ton to get two-time All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner last year but he hasn’t fixed a pass defense that’s fifth-worst in the league. Daniel Jones had a turnover-free game last week. Titans are 4-5-1 ATS with Ward.

COLTS: 23-17

Line: Rams minus 12 1/2

The Cardinals are bad at football. The Rams don’t look like the team some people foolishly predicted would go 17-0. Sean McVay is ticked and kicker Harrison Mevis paid the price for missing field goals. With Matthew Stafford leading a prolific passing attack, this one should be easy.

BEST BET: RAMS: 34-13

Line: Bills minus 5 1/2

Josh Allen is the reason the Bills are winning despite a defense that’s third-worst in total yards and fifth-worst in points allowed (28.2). The team is staying on the West Coast after beating the Rams in Los Angeles on Monday night. The Raiders have lost two in a row and Fernando Mendoza saw his first action in a lopsided loss to New England. Kirk Cousins is still QB1 for Las Vegas for now. Both teams are 4-1 ATS this season.

BILLS: 27-24

Line: Chiefs minus 8 1/2

This version of Justin Herbert in Mike McDaniel’s offense isn’t working for the depleted Chargers. The Chiefs are rested after a bye. Kenneth Walker III is on pace to run for nearly 2,300 yards. His presence has elevated the offense led by Patrick Mahomes. Chiefs coach Andy Reid is 22-5 after a regular-season bye.

CHIEFS: 24-17

Line: Packers minus 2 1/2

Micah Parsons won’t get to face his former team again but at least this time it shouldn't end in a tie. The Cowboys are coming off an embarrassing loss at home to previously winless Tampa Bay. Their defense has allowed the second-most yards and 27.2 points per game. Dak Prescott and a potent passing attack has kept Dallas competitive. Jordan Love could have another big game throwing to Christian Watson and Matthew Golden. The Packers need it because their rushing offense is last in the NFL. The depleted defense will get a huge boost whenever Parsons returns.

PACKERS: 28-27

Last week: Straight up: 7-7-1. Against spread: 7-8.

Overall: Straight up: 47-32-1. Against spread: 39-39-2.

Best Bet: Straight up: 3-2. Against spread: 2-3.

Upset Special: Straight up: 2-3. Against spread: 2-3.

See AP’s full NFL coverage here