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Space
Space
Science
Mike Wall

Japan unveils Mars moon sample-return spacecraft ahead of Oct. 19 launch (photos)

Mars Japan Phobos Earth Jaxa
The Propulsion Module (left) and Exploration and Return Modules (right), which together make up Japan’s Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) spacecraft, are seen at the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane, Kagoshima prefecture on Aug. 13, 2026. .

The world just got its first good looks at some hardware that will make spaceflight history.

Last Thursday (Aug. 13), Japan unveiled the spacecraft that make up its Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission, which aims to snag samples of the Mars moon Phobos and haul them to Earth — something that has never been done.

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