Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) is a JAXA-led sample-return mission that will travel to the Mars system to land on Phobos, collect surface material, and return samples to Earth. The spacecraft carries a small rover developed by France in cooperation with Germany to conduct in-situ exploration of Phobos’ surface, marking the first Japanese sample-return from that moon and the first Franco‑German rover to operate there. The mission spacecraft has a launch mass of about 4,480 kg and will follow a trajectory to the Mars system and back, with operations including landing on Phobos, sample acquisition, and Earth return.
Liftoff is scheduled for 19:41:03 GMT on 19 October 2026 from Tanegashima Space Center (LA-Y2) on an H3-24L rocket manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The H3-24L is a 69 m tall vehicle with a 5.27 m diameter, two stages, four strap-on boosters, a 5.27 m × 16.4 m fairing, and advertised liftoff thrust of 12,142 kN; its GTO payload capacity is listed at 6,500 kg. The launch is operated by MHI/JAXA; vehicle cost is shown as $50 million. The mission is presented as a key step in understanding Martian moon origins and transporting pristine Phobos samples to Earth.
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