Japan is entering an exciting new chapter in space exploration. From sending spacecraft toward the moons of Mars to investigating distant asteroids, its latest missions are expanding scientific knowledge and demonstrating increasingly sophisticated space technology.
The biggest recent development came on October 20, 2026, when the Martian Moons eXploration spacecraft successfully launched on an H3 rocket. The mission aims to study the mysterious moons of Mars and return a sample from one of them for analysis on Earth. Alongside this ambitious journey, Japan is continuing asteroid exploration and developing technologies that could support future lunar and deep-space missions.
1. MMX: A Historic Journey to the Moons of Mars
The most significant recent Japanese space mission is MMX, short for Martian Moons eXploration. Following its successful launch, the spacecraft began a journey expected to take approximately one year to reach the Mars system.
Its primary target is Phobos, the larger of Mars's two small moons. Scientists are still debating whether these moons are captured asteroids or formed from debris created by an ancient impact involving Mars.
MMX will study both Phobos and Deimos, examine their surfaces and composition, and attempt to collect at least 10 grams of material from Phobos. If successful, the spacecraft is expected to return its sample to Earth in 2031.
The mission could provide valuable clues about how planetary systems form and how water and organic materials were distributed throughout the early solar system.
2. The H3 Rocket: Strengthening Launch Capabilities
The successful MMX launch also marked an important milestone for the H3 rocket, Japan's newer heavy-lift launch vehicle. Designed to carry satellites and demanding scientific payloads, H3 is intended to provide a flexible and more cost-effective route to space.
Sending a spacecraft toward Mars requires precise timing, dependable propulsion, and accurate delivery into the correct trajectory. The MMX launch demonstrated the rocket's ability to carry out this demanding interplanetary task.
As Japan develops its launch capabilities, reliable access to space will be essential for future scientific missions, satellite services, and international exploration partnerships.
3. Hayabusa2: Continuing the Hunt for Asteroids
Japan's asteroid exploration programme is also continuing beyond its original mission goals. The Hayabusa2 spacecraft famously returned samples from the asteroid Ryugu in 2020, giving scientists material to study in laboratories on Earth.
Now operating on an extended mission, Hayabusa2 conducted a close flyby of asteroid Torifune in July 2026. The encounter required careful navigation because the spacecraft passed the small object at high relative speed.
Such observations help researchers investigate asteroid shapes, surfaces, and compositions. Asteroids preserve material left over from the formation of the solar system, making them valuable scientific time capsules.
The mission also demonstrates how spacecraft can continue producing discoveries long after their original objectives have been completed.
4. Exploring the Moon and Preparing for Future Missions
Japan has also made important contributions to lunar exploration. Its Smart Lander for Investigating Moon, known as SLIM, demonstrated precision landing technology during its 2024 lunar landing. The achievement showed that a spacecraft could target a much more specific landing area than many traditional lunar landers.
Precision landing matters because future missions may need to reach scientifically valuable locations near craters, rugged terrain, or areas where water ice could exist. The techniques developed through robotic exploration can help guide the design of more capable landers and rovers.
What Comes Next for Japan's Space Programme?
Japan's latest space developments reveal a programme focused on scientific discovery, advanced robotics, and reliable access to space. MMX now faces a long journey before its planned return of Phobos material, while Hayabusa2 continues its extended asteroid exploration.
These missions will not produce all their answers immediately. Their greatest achievements may emerge over years of observations and laboratory research. Yet each successful launch, precise manoeuvre, and scientific measurement brings researchers closer to understanding how planets and moons formed.
With ambitious missions underway and new technologies being tested, Japan is helping shape the next generation of space exploration—one that reaches beyond familiar destinations to investigate the origins of our solar system.
