Martian Moons eXploration (MMX)
MMX is JAXA's international Martian-moons sample-return mission. The Mitsubishi Electric-built spacecraft combines propulsion, exploration, and return modules to observe Phobos and Deimos, deploy the CNES/DLR IDEFIX rover, land on Phobos, collect more than 10 grams of material, and return a detachable capsule to Earth.
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Identity
- Aliases
- MMXMartian Moons Exploration
- Name
- Martian Moons eXploration (MMX)
- Status
- planned
Details
- Astronauts
- -
- Description
- MMX is JAXA's international Martian-moons sample-return mission. The Mitsubishi Electric-built spacecraft combines propulsion, exploration, and return modules to observe Phobos and Deimos, deploy the CNES/DLR IDEFIX rover, land on Phobos, collect more than 10 grams of material, and return a detachable capsule to Earth.
- Destination
- Quasi-Stationary Orbit around Phobos in the Martian system for observations, sampling, and return of Phobos material to Earth
- Launch Site
- Outcome
- Planned. The flight spacecraft was delivered to Tanegashima in March 2026 and is undergoing protoflight testing for launch on the mission-specific H3-24L vehicle in Japanese fiscal year 2026. JAXA's current plan calls for Mars-system operations in 2027-2030 and capsule recovery in Australia in fiscal year 2031.
- Programs
- -
- Vehicle Families
Links
- Official Url
- https://www.mmx.jaxa.jp/en/
Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- April 26, 2026 at 15:34:08 UTC
- Updated Time
- August 22, 2026 at 08:24:03 UTC
- Image
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Other
- Affiliations
- Space Stations
- -
- Vehicles