The University of Melbourne is pioneering space research and exploration in partnership with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), University of Tokyo (UTokyo), and other academic, industry and Government agencies.
The collaboration aims to advance research in planetary materials and space mission return samples, and enhance public engagement with this research though an international, multi-institutional outreach program.
Through the partnership, we are training future leaders of space research in our Melbourne-UTokyo-JAXA Collaborative PhD program to support long-scale space missions.
Latest news
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Reflections from Space Curation Camp
Five University of Melbourne PhD candidates recently experienced a first-of-its-kind Space Curation Camp at the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) in Japan.
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Space research helps find targets for early Alzheimer’s test
Methods used to study asteroids and planets could be used in a new blood test for Alzheimer’s disease – potentially before clinical symptoms develop.
Our partners
JAXA and the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS)
Founded in 1964 and currently operating as a core institute within the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) is Japan’s principal institution for space science and exploration. It plays a central role in the scientific and engineering development of satellite and deep space missions and conducts high-level research and development in fields such as astrophysics, solar system exploration, space plasma physics, and aerospace engineering. The Institute has led or contributed to numerous international missions, including Hayabusa1 and Hayabusa2 (asteroid sample return), XRISM (X-ray astronomy) and SLIM (lunar landing technology demonstration).
University of Tokyo
Established in 1877, the University of Tokyo is Japan’s oldest national university and a leading institution in science and technology research in Asia. It is internationally recognised for academic excellence and serves as a key centre for scientific innovation and advanced education.
Martian Moons eXploration mission
About the mission
The Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission is set to advance our undertanding of the Solar System, terrestrial planet formation and evolution, past and present life on Mars, and life on Earth.
The seven-year mission led by JAXA will visit the unexplored Martian moon, Phobos, to observe and collect precious samples from the celestial body. It will then safely navigate a return mission to Earth, landing in South Australia in 2031. The samples will be the subject of in-depth research analysis using state-of-the art technology to unlock the mysteries of the moons of Mars.
The University of Melbourne is contributing to this mission and to JAXA’s broader research program through its deep expertise in ultra-high precision elemental, isotopic and age-dating sample analysis, high-speed aerodynamics , and digital technologies, supported by the collaborative PhD program, researcher exchanges and other research collaborations.
International Partnership for Outreach
Extending from the MMX mission and as part of its partnership with JAXA, the University of Melbourne is representing the Australian university sector in an International Partnership for Outreach. The partnership also includes the University of Bern, Switzerland, the Australian Space Agency (ASA), UK Science Museum, National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) and the International Astronomical Union (IAU).
The goal of this multi-national, multi-sector initiative is to engage humanity with high-profile moments from the MMX mission. Coordinated outreach and space research activities aim to create international unity around a shared vision and sense of belonging and ownership of these exciting, history-making experiences.
Melbourne-UTokyo-JAXA Collaborative PhD program
An international partnership between the University of Melbourne, the University of Tokyo and JAXA offers PhD candidates the opportunity to undertake co-supervised research projects that focus on safely transporting and analysing planetary samples brought back from the MMX mission. Five PhD projects comprise the inaugural launch of this Collaborative PhD Program.
The program involves bilateral exchange opportunities between the institutes, including a three-week research visit – Space Curation Camp – to world-class facilities at the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) in Japan, hosted by JAXA's Astromaterials Science Research Group.
The program is currently not taking new applications. Please contact us directly to express your interest.
Collaborative PhD research projects underway
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This project focuses on optimising analytical techniques for stable metal isotope ratios (eg Ca, Ti, Cr, Cu, Zn, Rb) to trace the origins and post-formation processes of extraterrestrial materials, and their relationship to Earth and other terrestrial planets.
Given the limited sample masses available from space missions, this research will develop chemical separation techniques and minimum mass analytical protocols using state-of-the-art mass spectrometry. The outcome will enhance the efficiency of sample use in planetary science and mission return sample analysis.
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This project will develop the digital architecture, workflows and technologies that complement and integrate individual analytical techniques applied to extraterrestrial samples, including but not limited to those generated elsewhere in the PhD Program and larger partnership.
This will enable comprehensive multi-modal characterisation of extraterrestrial materials, the integration of data generated across sectors (space agencies, University) for high-dimensional analyses to extract information about formation histories of extraterrestrial materials and celestial bodies, and finally enhanced accessibility of such data through deposition into FAIR data repositories and digital platforms.
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This project integrates high-resolution micro-CT imaging with in situ elemental and isotopic analysis to characterise extraterrestrial regolith and meteorite samples.
By spatially resolving phase composition and elemental distribution, the research aims to refine techniques for identifying exogenous materials, reconstructing planetary and solar system histories, and supporting space mission sample analysis.
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Radiometric dating is crucial for determining the formation and secondary process histories of planetary bodies, yet sample mass constraints pose significant challenges.
This project will develop micro-scale in situ techniques for Rb-Sr and U-Pb, and micro Ar-Ar geochronology, enabling precise dating of extraterrestrial samples. The research will incorporate micro-CT phase identification and explore the impact of secondary mineralisation on dating accuracy.
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Ensuring the safe return of pristine extraterrestrial materials requires a thorough understanding of aerodynamic instabilities during re-entry. This project will investigate the transition from hypersonic to transonic wake flow instabilities in sample return capsule designs.
Using a combination of experimental shock tunnel and wind tunnel testing (JAXA) and advanced computational fluid dynamics (UoM), the research will refine aerodynamic models for future space missions.
Meet our academic lead
Dr Brandon Mahan is the academic lead of the Melbourne-UTokyo-JAXA Collaborative PhD program. He is an analytical geochemist in the School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Melbourne, where he is Head of the Melbourne Analytical Geochemistry research group, and Chair / Academic Champion of the Melbourne Isotope Analytics Research Platform.
Dr Mahan's research extends across Earth Systems and Life Sciences, with a passion for trace element and isotope geochemistry. He holds expertise in methodological development to address complex analyses and characterise precious samples, in particular those in planetary science and cosmochemistry, where he conducts research into early evolution of the Solar System, Earth and other celestial bodies.
First published on 8 October 2026.
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