Japan launches MMX spacecraft toward Mars to seek samples from Phobos

Japan's MMX launched toward Mars on Oct. 20, 2026, NHK WORLD reports. It aims to land on Phobos and bring back samples to investigate the origins of Mars's moons. The Indian Express says the French-German IDEFIX rover is planned to deploy before the main spacecraft. Both reports expect MMX near Mars around August 2027. The Indian Express expects samples back in 2031; NHK WORLD projects a return during the fiscal year ending March 2032.