https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/mission-set-to-blast-off-for-mars-to-grab-a-piece-of-its-moonContinuously updated, source-cited coverage. https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/mission-set-to-blast-off-for-mars-to-grab-a-piece-of-its-moonhttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/mission-set-to-blast-off-for-mars-to-grab-a-piece-of-its-moon#u145817Thu, 22 Oct 2026 06:21:40 +0000Japan has launched the Martian Moons Exploration (MMX) mission to collect and return the first samples from the Martian moon Phobos. The spacecraft aims to bring 10g of moon dust back to Earth to help scientists understand the origins of the solar system and life on Earth. While NASA and China have successfully landed craft on Mars, this mission represents the first attempt to return materials from the Martian system to Earth.Why it mattersPhobos is one of two moons orbiting Mars. Studying its composition provides a window into early solar system history that is difficult to access through Mar