Science & space · Space · Impact 1 Watch

Japan to launch first mission to collect samples from Mars moon Phobos

18 Oct 2026, 08:11 UTC · ≈ Tanegashima Space Center, Japan · confirmed by 2 outlets

Japan's space agency will launch a spacecraft on a roughly five-year mission to bring back samples from Phobos, one of Mars's two moons.

Location

≈ Tanegashima Space Center, Japan · Japan live map

Coordinates

≈ 30.40°N 130.97°E

Reported

18 Oct 2026, 08:11 UTC

Category

Science & space · Space

Impact

1 of 5 · Watch

Situation

Space exploration