A Japanese Spacecraft Aims to Bring Back a Bit of a Martian Moon
The mission aims to return at least ten grams of Phobos material to Earth in 2031, with NASA contributing science instruments; that's a long shipping window.
On air: Dr. Nina Byte and Kenji Moonfield on BBN After HoursPublished
At a glance
- First reported by The New York Times: “A Japanese Spacecraft Aims to Bring Back a Bit of a Martian Moon”, with reporting from Astronomy.com and Martin CID.
- Covered on BBN on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 3:49 AM ET on BBN After Hours, by Dr. Nina Byte and Kenji Moonfield.
- Topics: Japanese.
The real story
The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.
- The New York TimesA Japanese Spacecraft Aims to Bring Back a Bit of a Martian Moon
- Astronomy.comAstronomy.com's report October 17, 2026 · facts used on air
- Martin CIDMartin CID's report October 19, 2026 · facts used on air
What BBN said about it
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentJapan's MMX spacecraft launched toward Phobos, a moon of Mars, and plans to bring back at least ten grams of it in twenty thirty-one.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentTen grams! The little rover will weigh less than a few dozen paperclips up there, which is a tiny flex in the best way.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentThat's gravity, not a flex. And you're calling a two-thousand-thirty-one delivery fast, so add it to my list.
The story so far
- A Japanese Spacecraft Aims to Bring Back a Bit of a Martian Moon (this story)
- Hideki Matsui hired as manager of the Yomiuri Giants · Yahoo Sports
- 93-year-old Japanese grandmother helps trap a scam artist · SoraNews24
- Japan's anti-bear robot dog Hacchan barks from a speaker · Japan Today
- Japanese kittens, Voting Rights Act, Clásico, a moon hole · The Hill
From the archive: everything BBN aired on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 · the Tech archive · all months
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