Returning the first samples from a Martian moon: Inside the science of Japan's bold MMX mission to Mars

The Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency’s (JAXA) MMX mission is poised to deliver the first samples collected from a Martian moon back to Earth, marking a significant milestone in planetary exploration. The primary objective of this ambitious endeavor is to investigate the origin of Phobos and Deimos, two small satellites orbiting Mars, which have long been debated by scientists. Two competing theories suggest that these moons originated either from impacts on Mars or formed alongside the planet itself. JAXA's spacecraft will enter orbit around Phobos before deploying a rotorcraft for detailed surface analysis and sample retrieval. Upon completion, the returned samples will undergo rigorous examination at JAXA facilities in Japan, potentially resolving the longstanding debate about their origins.