NASA Collaborates on JAXA’s Martian Moons Exploration Mission

• NASA is partnering with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) on the Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission to study the origins of Phobos and Deimos.
• The MMX spacecraft is scheduled to reach Mars in August 2027, collect samples from Phobos no earlier than December 2028, and return them to Earth in 2031.

NASA’s Contributions

• MEGANE Spectrograph: A specialized instrument to measure neutrons and gamma rays, determining the moon's elemental composition.
• Pneumatic Sampler (P-Sampler): A technology using high-pressure nitrogen gas to gather surface samples from Phobos.
• Deep Space Network: Providing critical communications and navigation support.
• Sample Curation: NASA will manage 15% of the returned samples at its Johnson Space Center Astromaterials Lab for long-term study.

Scientific Objectives

• Resolve the debate over whether Phobos and Deimos are remnants of a massive collision with Mars or ancient captured asteroids.
• Advance understanding of the early solar system, specifically how inner planets acquired water and organic compounds.
• Support NASA’s broader goals for future human exploration of Mars.