Participation in MetSoc2026: Advances in Ryugu and Bennu Research and Curation Preparations for MMX
The 88th Annual Meeting of the Meteoritical Society (MetSoc2026) was held from August 10 to 14, 2026, at Goethe University's Westend Campus in Frankfurt, Germany. Researchers from around the world gathered in Frankfurt under the strong summer sun to present their latest research findings.
As new research results from the returned asteroid Ryugu and Bennu samples continue to emerge, one particularly striking aspect of this year's meeting was the large number of studies that gained new scientific insights by comparing the mineralogical, chemical, and organic characteristics of the two sample sets. In addition to the successful sample returns from these two similar types of asteroids, a new CI chondrite, Oued Chebeika 002, which is similar in type to the Ryugu and Bennu samples, was discovered in Morocco in June 2024. Comparisons among these samples are rapidly advancing our understanding of the evolution processes of primitive, water-rich asteroids. Of course, the research presented at the meeting was not limited to asteroids; many studies also focused on differentiated bodies such as Mars and the Moon.
The Astromaterials Science Research Group (ASRG) gave three oral presentations and four poster presentations. In addition to reporting on the history and current status of extraterrestrial sample curation at JAXA, our presentation on the status of curation preparations for the Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission, whose launch is now fast approaching, attracted considerable interest. We also presented recent activities related to the Ryugu Reference Project (RRP), led by ASRG, as well as the development of curation for powdered planetary samples and cold curation for future missions. These presentations led to lively discussions with scientists and engineers from Japan and abroad.
Many of the technical challenges we face are shared by the international community. The meeting reminded us once again that one of the great benefits of participating in an international conference is the opportunity to share our respective strengths and experience and gain new ideas that can help us take the next step forward.
After successfully completing our presentations in the dry German summer heat, raising a glass of beer together was especially satisfying.
We were also fortunate to witness a partial solar eclipse during the banquet on August 12. Eclipse glasses were handed out at the venue, and participants enjoyed the event in their own ways—some gazing intently at the sky through the glasses, while others watched the crescent-shaped images of the Sun projected through pinholes. Everyone seemed to rediscover a childlike sense of wonder as they enjoyed the eclipse. It felt like a wonderful coincidence to experience such a celestial event together in the midst of a conference bringing together researchers who explore planetary and space science.
We returned to Japan looking forward to a successful launch of MMX and to an even more exciting Meteoritical Society meeting next year.
(Written by Y. Enokido, Researcher at ASRG)
