28 October 2026 · The Guardian
Japan Launches Mission to Mars's Moon Phobos
Japan has launched a spacecraft to collect rocks from Phobos, a moon of Mars. This mission aims to learn about the origins of the solar system and life on Earth.
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Narration includes the headline and summary.
Adapted from The Guardian, 20 October 2026, and rewritten at three levels by Newslish. Newslish is not affiliated with the source. Read the original.
Key vocabulary
surface noun
The outer layer or top part of something.
“The surface of the water was calm and clear.”
collect verb
To gather or bring together items or information.
“I like to collect stamps from different countries.”
launch verb
To send something into the air or space.
“They plan to launch a new satellite next month.”
mission noun
A specific task or job to be done.
“The mission was to explore the distant planet.”
origin noun
The point or place where something begins.
“The origin of the river is in the mountains.”
Quick quiz
01What is the main idea of the article?
02What does the word 'surface' mean in the text?
03What will the spacecraft collect from Phobos?
04When is the spacecraft expected to return to Earth?
Discussion
What do you think about the mission to collect samples from Phobos? In your answer, use the words 'surface' and 'collect'.