There is something almost magical about standing beneath a clear night sky and spotting Mars glowing red in the darkness. For centuries, humanity has wondered about that distant world and its two tiny moons, Phobos and Deimos, which dance around the Red Planet like cosmic mysteries waiting to be solved. Well, in 2026, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, better known as JAXA, is finally going to crack open those mysteries with one of the most ambitious space missions ever attempted.
I have been following space exploration since I was a kid building model rockets in my backyard, and I can tell you that what JAXA has planned for 2026 genuinely excites me more than anything since the Apollo era. We are talking about not one but two major missions launching in the same year, both pushing the boundaries of what we thought possible in deep space exploration. The first is the Martian Moons eXploration mission, or MMX, which aims to land on Phobos, grab samples of its surface, and bring them back to Earth by 2031. The second is the extended Hayabusa2 mission, nicknamed Hayabusa2# or SHARP, which will perform a high-speed flyby of an asteroid called Torifune in July 2026.
These missions represent something bigger than just scientific curiosity, though that is certainly part of it. They represent humanity’s growing capability to reach out into our solar system, understand our cosmic neighborhood, and, perhaps most importantly, develop the technologies we will need to protect our planet from future asteroid threats. When JAXA’s H3 rocket lifts off from Tanegashima Space Center in late 2026, it will not just be carrying a spacecraft. It will carry the hopes of scientists worldwide who have spent decades wondering about the origins of Mars and its moons.
The Martian Moons eXploration Mission: A World First
Let me break down what makes the MMX mission so special because, honestly, the engineering behind this project blows my mind every time I read about it. JAXA is attempting something that no space agency has ever done before: a round-trip sample return mission from the Martian system. NASA has landed rovers on Mars and sent orbiters to study the planet from above, but nobody has ever landed on one of Mars’s moons, collected samples, and brought them back to Earth.
The target is Phobos, the larger of Mars’s two moons, though “larger” is relative here. Phobos is shaped like a lumpy potato, measuring roughly 26 by 22 by 18 kilometers. To put that in perspective, you could fit about 156 Phobos moons inside Earth’s moon. Its small size makes landing incredibly challenging because the gravity is so weak that a spacecraft could easily bounce off or drift away if not handled with extreme precision. JAXA engineers have been working on this problem for nearly a decade, developing new navigation and landing technologies specifically for this mission.
The launch window opens in late 2026, specifically between November and December, when Earth and Mars align, making the journey most efficient. The spacecraft will travel for about a year, arriving in the Martian system in 2027. Once there, it will spend three years studying both Phobos and Deimos, mapping their surfaces, analyzing their composition, and searching for the perfect landing site. The actual landing and sample collection will happen around 2029, with the samples finally reaching Earth in 2031.
What really impresses me about this mission is the level of international cooperation involved. While JAXA is leading the project, they have brought together space agencies from around the world. NASA is contributing the MEGANE instrument, a gamma-ray and neutron spectrometer that will help analyze the moons’ composition. The French space agency CNES and the German Aerospace Center DLR have jointly developed the IDEFIX rover. This 25-kilogram vehicle will land on Phobos ahead of the main spacecraft to scout the terrain and help ensure a safe landing. The European Space Agency is also participating with various scientific contributions. This is truly a global effort to solve a planetary mystery.
The Great Mystery: Where Did Phobos and Deimos Come From?
Now you might be wondering, why go through all this trouble for two tiny moons? The answer lies in one of the biggest unanswered questions in planetary science: the origin of Mars’s moons. Scientists have debated this for decades, and there are two main competing theories that the MMX mission hopes to settle once and for all.
The first theory is called the capture hypothesis. This suggests that Phobos and Deimos are actually asteroids that originated in the outer solar system, possibly beyond Mars, and were snagged by Mars’s gravity as they wandered too close. The evidence for this includes their irregular shapes, which look exactly like asteroids we have seen before, and their composition, which appears similar to that of carbon-rich asteroids found in the outer asteroid belt. If this theory is correct, studying these moons would give us a window into the kinds of materials transported from the outer solar system to the inner planets, potentially including water and organic molecules that made life possible on Earth.
The second theory is the giant impact hypothesis. This proposes that Phobos and Deimos formed from debris thrown into orbit after a massive collision between Mars and another large body, similar to how Earth’s moon formed after a protoplanet called Theia crashed into early Earth. If this is true, the moons would be made of ancient Martian material, preserving a record of what Mars was like in its earliest days, when it might have had oceans and possibly even life.
The samples that MMX collects will contain the chemical fingerprints needed to determine which theory is correct. Suppose they find abundant water and organic materials, which points toward the capture hypothesis. Suppose they find materials that match Mars’s crust, which supports the giant impact theory. Either way, the results will transform our understanding of how planets and moons form in our solar system and beyond.
I find this aspect of the mission particularly fascinating because it connects to our own origins. Understanding how Mars’s moons formed helps us understand the chaotic early days of the solar system, when giant impacts were common, and the building blocks of planets were being shuffled. It is like archaeology, but on a cosmic scale, digging into the past to understand how we got here.
Hayabusa2# and the Torifune Flyby: Planetary Defense in Action
While MMX is grabbing headlines with its Mars ambitions, JAXA has another critical mission happening in 2026 that deserves just as much attention. The Hayabusa2 spacecraft, which famously returned samples from asteroid Ryugu in 2020, is still out there flying through space on its extended mission. After dropping off the Ryugu sample capsule, the spacecraft performed a gravity assist maneuver around Earth and set off for new targets.
The first stop is an asteroid called Torifune, officially designated 2001 CC21, and the flyby is scheduled for July 5, 2026. This is not just a casual pass-by. Hayabusa2 will be traveling at approximately 5 kilometers per second relative to the asteroid, which means the encounter will last only moments. The challenge here is that Hayabusa2’s cameras and instruments were designed for long-duration asteroid rendezvous, not high-speed flybys. The team has had to develop entirely new operational procedures to maximize the science return during this brief encounter.
The name Torifune comes from Japanese mythology, referring to a divine ship that travels safely at high speeds, which seems perfectly appropriate for this mission. The asteroid itself is an S-type, meaning it is composed mainly of silicate materials, and it rotates every five hours. Hayabusa2 will use its optical navigation cameras, thermal infrared imager, near-infrared spectrometer, and laser altimeter to study the surface composition, temperature, and shape of Torifune.
But here is where it gets really interesting from my perspective. This flyby is not just about studying another asteroid. It is a test of technologies and techniques that could one day save our planet. The Hayabusa2 extended mission, officially called SHARP (Small Hazardous Asteroid Reconnaissance Probe), is specifically designed to gather information to support planetary defense. By practicing high-precision navigation during this fast flyby, JAXA is developing the capabilities needed to intercept and potentially deflect dangerous asteroids heading toward Earth.
After Torifune, Hayabusa2# will continue its journey to its ultimate target: asteroid 1998 KY26, which it will reach in 2031. Recent observations have revealed that this asteroid is much smaller than originally thought, only about 11 meters across, and it spins incredibly fast, completing a rotation every 5.35 minutes. Landing on such a small, rapidly rotating object will be extremely challenging, but if successful, it will provide invaluable data on the most common type of asteroid threatening Earth.
The Technology Making It All Possible
You cannot appreciate these missions without understanding the engineering marvels behind them. Let us start with the rocket. JAXA’s MMX mission will launch aboard the H3 rocket, Japan’s newest launch vehicle developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The H3 had a rocky start with a failed maiden flight in 2023, but subsequent successful launches have proven its capabilities. For MMX, JAXA will use the H3-24L configuration, which features two LE-9 main engines and four solid rocket boosters, providing the power needed to send a 4,000-kilogram spacecraft on a trajectory to Mars.
The spacecraft itself is a masterpiece of engineering. The MMX probe consists of multiple modules: an exploration module that will travel to Mars and back, and a return module that will carry the samples back to Earth. The sampling system has been significantly upgraded from Hayabusa2’s design. While Hayabusa2 aimed to collect about 0.1 grams of material, MMX is designed to collect 10 grams or more from depths of up to 2 centimeters using advanced manipulators and core samplers. This might not sound like much, but in the world of planetary science, even a few grams of material from another world is a treasure trove of information.
One aspect that I find particularly clever is the communication strategy. Mars is far enough away that radio signals take between 3 and 22 minutes to travel between Earth and the spacecraft, depending on the planets’ positions. This means real-time control is impossible. Imagine trying to land on a tiny moon with a 20-minute delay between sending a command and seeing the result. JAXA’s solution is to program the spacecraft with extreme precision, calculating trajectories months in advance so that the landing can happen autonomously with minimal intervention from Earth.
The thermal vacuum testing JAXA conducted in 2025, simulating the harsh conditions of space to test every instrument, demonstrates the level of preparation involved. These spacecraft have to survive the extreme cold of deep space, the intense radiation near Mars, and the heat of atmospheric re-entry when returning to Earth. Every component has to work perfectly because, unlike missions in Earth orbit, you cannot send a repair crew to fix something that breaks.
Why 2026 Matters for the Future of Space Exploration
I have been watching space missions for decades, and I genuinely believe that 2026 will be remembered as a turning point. We are living through what many scientists call a “golden age” of sample return missions. While JAXA is heading to Mars’s moons, NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission has already returned samples from asteroid Bennu, and China’s Chang’e missions are bringing back lunar material. Each of these missions adds another piece to the puzzle of how our solar system formed and evolved.
What sets JAXA apart is its specialization in the exploration of small bodies. Japan is one of only two countries, along with the United States, to have successfully returned samples from beyond the Earth-Moon system. The Hayabusa mission to asteroid Itokawa in 2010 was a historic achievement, proving that sample return from asteroids was possible. Hayabusa2 built on that success with its Ryugu mission, and now MMX is taking the next logical step by going all the way to Mars.
This progression shows a long-term vision that I find admirable. JAXA is not just launching one-off missions; they are building capabilities step by step. Each mission teaches them something new about navigating in deep space, landing on small bodies, and returning samples to Earth. These are exactly the technologies we will need for future human exploration of Mars and for protecting our planet from asteroid impacts.
The international cooperation aspect also gives me hope. In an era where geopolitical tensions often dominate the headlines, space exploration remains one area where countries can work together toward common goals. The MMX mission involves scientists and engineers from Japan, the United States, France, Germany, and across Europe, all collaborating to advance human knowledge. When the Phobos samples finally arrive in Australia in 2031, they will be studied by researchers worldwide, regardless of nationality.
Conclusion: A Journey Worth Watching
As we look ahead to the launches of 2026, I cannot help but feel excited about what we are about to learn. The MMX mission will finally tell us whether Mars’s moons are captured asteroids or ancient fragments of the Red Planet itself. The Hayabusa2 flyby of Torifune will sharpen our skills for planetary defense. Together, these missions represent humanity at its best: curious, ambitious, and determined to understand our place in the universe.
If you have never paid attention to space missions before, 2026 is the year to start. Watch for the H3 rocket launch from Tanegashima Space Center. Follow the Hayabusa2 flyby in July. Track MMX’s journey to Mars over the following years. These are the moments that define our era of exploration, and I feel privileged to witness them. The answers JAXA seeks about Phobos and Deimos might seem distant and abstract, but they connect to fundamental questions about where we came from and what else might be out there in the vastness of space.
The samples will not return until 2031, but the journey begins in 2026. And what a journey it will be.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: When exactly will the JAXA MMX mission launch in 2026?
A: The MMX mission is scheduled to launch during the Mars launch window in late 2026, most likely between November and December. The exact date depends on final preparations and the H3 rocket’s readiness, but JAXA is targeting the latter part of the year to ensure the spacecraft can reach Mars efficiently.
Q2: What makes Phobos such a difficult target for landing?
A: Phobos is extremely small, only about 26 kilometers across at its widest point, which means it has very weak gravity. A spacecraft landing there has to be incredibly precise because the escape velocity is only about 41 kilometers per hour. Too much thrust and the lander could bounce off into space; too little and it might crash. JAXA has developed new autonomous navigation systems specifically to handle this challenge.
Q3: How does the Hayabusa2 Torifune flyby contribute to planetary defense?
A: The flyby practices high-speed, high-precision navigation techniques that would be essential for intercepting a hazardous asteroid. By successfully passing close to Torifune at 5 kilometers per second, JAXA demonstrates the capability to reach and potentially deflect small asteroids that might threaten Earth in the future.
Q4: What will happen to the MMX samples when they return to Earth in 2031?
A: The sample capsule will land in Australia, where JAXA teams will recover it in cooperation with the Australian Space Agency. The samples will then be transported to Japan for initial analysis at JAXA’s curation facility, after which they will be distributed to scientists worldwide for detailed study, similar to how Hayabusa2’s Ryugu samples are being handled now.
Q5: Why is determining the origin of Phobos and Deimos so important?
A: The origin of these moons tells us about the early history of the Mars system and the processes that shaped our solar system. If they are captured asteroids, they preserve materials from the outer solar system that might have delivered water and organics to the inner planets. If they formed from a giant impact, they contain ancient Martian material from a time when Mars might have been habitable. Either way, the answer reshapes our understanding of planetary formation.
Q6: How does JAXA’s MMX mission compare to NASA’s Mars missions?
A: While NASA has focused on landing rovers and orbiters on Mars itself, JAXA’s MMX is the first mission dedicated to studying Mars’s moons up close and returning samples. It complements NASA’s work by addressing different scientific questions and demonstrating technologies for round-trip missions to the Mars system, which will be crucial for future human exploration.
Q7: What other missions does JAXA have planned after MMX and Hayabusa2#?
A: JAXA is already planning the next generation of small body exploration, including the DESTINY+ mission to asteroid Phaethon and potential comet sample return missions in the 2030s. They are also collaborating with ISRO on the LUPEX lunar rover mission scheduled for 2028, showing a continued commitment to solar system exploration across multiple targets.