The MMX Mission Launch.

As of February 2026, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has entered the final phase of preparations for the Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission, set to launch this September on the new H3 rocket. Unlike most missions that focus on the Red Planet itself, MMX is targeting the moons Phobos and Deimos. The goal is to land on Phobos, collect surface samples, and return them to Earth. This would make Japan the first nation to successfully perform a round-trip sample return from the Martian system. This mission is a massive point of national pride and technical achievement, showcasing Japan's independent capability in deep-space transportation and advanced robotics.

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