Asteroids and Planetary Defence: Bennu, Apophis, Hera — 2026-10-17
This week, JAXA announced the imminent launch of the MMX mission to retrieve sand from Mars' moon Phobos, marking the next major sample-return effort following Hayabusa2. Simultaneously, two newly discovered asteroids passed within 0.6 lunar distances of Earth on October 14, while researchers updated risk assessments for the Taurid meteor stream's potential 2032 encounter.
Asteroids and Planetary Defence: Bennu, Apophis, Hera — 2026-10-17
Top developments
JAXA Prepares MMX Mission for Phobos Sample Return
JAXA is preparing to launch the Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission as early as next week, aiming to retrieve sand from Mars' moon Phobos. This mission represents the first large-scale sample return effort since Hayabusa2 delivered Ryugu samples to Earth in 2020, with Project Manager Yasuhiro Kawaguchi noting that "the launch is just the beginning" of the five-year mission. The success of MMX will directly influence future asteroid sample-return capabilities and planetary defense logistics.
Two Asteroids Pass Within 0.6 Lunar Distances
On October 14, 2026, two newly discovered asteroids, 2026 TG9 and 2026 TP6, passed closer to Earth than the Moon, with a separation of about 19 hours between their closest approaches. NASA JPL data confirmed no impact risk for either object, which passed at approximately 0.6 lunar distances. These close approaches highlight the ongoing need for the NEO Surveyor mission to identify such objects earlier in their trajectories.
Taurid Meteor Stream 2032 Risk Analysis Updated
A new analysis published on October 13, 2026, examines the potential risk of the Taurid meteor stream impacting Earth in 2032. The study clarifies that while a dense debris swarm may pass near Earth, current models do not indicate a significant impact hazard for the planet itself. This update refines the long-term risk assessments previously dominated by concerns over asteroid 2024 YR4.
Local view
Japanese media, including Yomiuri Shimbun and Impress Watch, are focusing heavily on the MMX launch preparations. Yomiuri Shimbun highlights the technical continuity from Hayabusa2 to MMX, emphasizing JAXA's established sample-return technology. Impress Watch details the specific collection strategy for Phobos sand, noting that MMX builds directly on the successful Ryugu operations.
Context & numbers
The MMX mission represents a 5-year round-trip timeline, with a launch window targeted for late October 2026. The recent close approaches by 2026 TG9 and 2026 TP6 occurred at 0.6 lunar distances, well within the 0.05 AU (approx. 19.5 lunar distances) threshold often used for monitoring near-Earth objects.
On the radar
- MMX Launch Window: The actual launch date for JAXA's MMX mission is expected to be confirmed within the next week.
- Apophis 2029 Preps: NASA's OSIRIS-APEX and ESA's Ramses missions continue their trajectory adjustments for the 2029 Apophis flyby.
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