Japan’s MMX Mission Aims to Bring Phobos Samples Home by 2031

Japan’s Mars Moons Exploration (MMX) mission aims to collect samples from Phobos, one of Mars’ two moons, and return them to Earth by 2031, according to an India Global Review video summary published on October 22.

Scientists hope the material will help explain how Mars’ moons formed and offer clues about the early solar system. The samples could also contribute to understanding how the building blocks of life emerged. These are research goals, not findings; the 2031 return is a mission target.