The Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission is a project to explore the two moons of Mars, with a planned launch in the mid-2020s. Approximately one year after leaving Earth, the spacecraft will arrive in Martian space and enter into an orbit around Mars. It will then move into a Quasi Satellite Orbit (QSO) around the Martian moon, Phobos, to collect scientific data and gather a sample from the moon’s surface. After observation and sample collection, the spacecraft will return to Earth carrying the material gathered from Phobos. The current schedule has a launch date in JFY 2024, followed by Martian orbit insertion in JFY 2025 and the spacecraft will return to Earth in JFY 2029.

Exploration of the Martian moons will help improve technology for future planet and satellite exploration. For example, advancement in the technology required to make round-trips between the Earth and Mars, the advanced sampling techniques that will be employed on the Martian moon surface and in the optimal communication technology using the Deep Space Network ground stations.

A major scientific goal for the mission is clarifying the origin of the two Martian moons and the evolution process of the Martian Sphere (Mars, Phobos and Deimos). The creation of this system is one of the keys to solving the mysteries of planetary formation in the Solar System.