---
title: "Japan launches mission to bring back soil from Phobos"
url: https://media.yoora.tech/en/articles/japan-mmx-phobos-sample-return-launch
lang: en
published: 2026-10-20T14:39:15+00:00
updated: 2026-10-20T14:39:15+00:00
section: "News"
description: "Japan's MMX spacecraft has launched toward the moons of Mars. It aims to study Phobos and Deimos, collect at least 10 grams of material from Phobos and return the sample to Earth in 2031."
---

# Japan launches mission to bring back soil from Phobos

## What happened

Japan's MMX spacecraft has launched toward the moons of Mars. It aims to study Phobos and Deimos, collect at least 10 grams of material from Phobos and return the sample to Earth in 2031.

## Why it matters

Scientists hope the material will show whether Phobos is a captured asteroid or debris from an ancient impact. Launch is only the first step; landing and sample return remain ahead.