Japan and NASA Collaborate on Mars Moon Exploration Mission

WHO:

New Scientist Space - Japan is launching a mission to Mars’s largest moon Phobos.

NASA - NASA is collaborating with JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) on the Martian Moons eXploration mission.

WHAT:

New Scientist Space - The Martian Moons eXploration spacecraft is set to launch on 20 October.

NASA - The mission aims to characterize and determine the origin of Mars’ moons Phobos and Deimos and deliver a sample back to Earth.

WHERE:

New Scientist Space - The mission focuses on Mars’s largest moon, Phobos.

WHEN:

New Scientist Space - The spacecraft is scheduled to launch on 20 October.

WHY:

New Scientist Space - The mission aims to solve a moon mystery that has been vexing scientists for more than a century.

HOW:

NASA - NASA's involvement is part of its long history of exploring the Red Planet.

(UPDATED October 16, 2026 18:01 UTC)

Japan is set to launch a mission to Mars's largest moon, Phobos, in collaboration with NASA as part of the Martian Moons eXploration mission. The spacecraft is scheduled to lift off on October 20, aiming to characterize the origins of both Phobos and Deimos while also delivering a sample back to Earth. This mission seeks to unravel a moon mystery that has puzzled scientists for over a century, continuing NASA's long history of exploring the Red Planet.