https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/returning-the-first-samples-from-a-martian-moon-inside-the-science-of-japan-s-bold-mmx-mission-to-marsContinuously updated, source-cited coverage. https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/returning-the-first-samples-from-a-martian-moon-inside-the-science-of-japan-s-bold-mmx-mission-to-marshttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/returning-the-first-samples-from-a-martian-moon-inside-the-science-of-japan-s-bold-mmx-mission-to-mars#u145646Thu, 22 Oct 2026 05:17:56 +0000Japan has launched the Martian Moons Exploration mission to collect and return the first soil and rock samples from Phobos. The spacecraft aims to bring at least 10 grams of material back to Earth by 2031, with the return capsule expected to land in Australia. This international effort involves NASA and seeks to determine the origins of Phobos and Deimos while investigating the history of the Martian system. The mission may also indirectly collect Mars dust during its operation.Why it mattersPhobos is described as one of the most important unclimbed mountains in the solar system. MMX could bec