Abstract
The Japanese MMX sample return mission to Phobos by JAXA will carry a rover developed by CNES and DLR that will be deployed on Phobos to perform in situ analysis of the Martian moon’s surface properties. Past images of the surface of Phobos show that it is covered by a layer of regolith. However, the mechanical and compositional properties of this regolith are poorly constrained. In particular, from current remote images, very little is known regarding the particle sizes, their chemical composition, the packing density of the regolith as well as other parameters such as friction and cohesion that influence surface dynamics. Understanding the properties and dynamics of the regolith in the low-gravity environment of Phobos is important to trace back its history and surface evolution. Moreover, this information is also important to support the interpretation of data obtained by instruments onboard the main MMX spacecraft, and to minimize the risks involved in the spacecraft sampling operations. The instruments onboard the Rover are a Raman spectrometer (RAX), an infrared radiometer (miniRad), two forward-looking cameras for navigation and science purposes (NavCams), and two cameras observing the interactions of regolith and the rover wheels (WheelCams). The Rover will be deployed before the MMX spacecraft samples Phobos’ surface and will be the first rover to drive on the surface of a Martian moon and in a very low gravity environment.Graphic
Highlights
Introduction The Martian MoonseXploration (MMX) mission by the Japan Aerospace Agency, JAXA, will visit the Martian moons Phobos and Deimos (Kuramoto et al 2021; Kawakatsu et al 2019)
We briefly present the two approaches and how we plan to apply them to the Martian MoonseXploration (MMX) rover
Comparison between the microscale properties measured by the rover and macroscale ones measured by the instruments onboard the main MMX spacecraft, as well as the sample analyses, will be of high value
Summary
Introduction The Martian MoonseXploration (MMX) mission by the Japan Aerospace Agency, JAXA, will visit the Martian moons Phobos and Deimos (Kuramoto et al 2021; Kawakatsu et al 2019). The data provided by the rover instrument suite are extremely important for the communities interested in regolith dynamics in the low-gravity environment of Phobos, in surface processes, in the formation, geological history and composition of Phobos, and in its thermal properties. In addition to characterizing the physical properties of the surface material on Phobos, the rover will measure its mineralogical composition by Raman spectroscopy (Cho et al 2021).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
