JAXA launches Martian Moons eXploration mission to study Phobos
Japan's MMX spacecraft launched this week with plans to land a rover on Phobos in 2029 and return surface samples to Earth by 2031.
Summary
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) launched its Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission earlier this week. The spacecraft will study Phobos and Deimos, Mars's two small moons, with a planned rover deployment to Phobos in 2029 and sample return to Earth by 2031. The mission aims to determine the moons' composition and formation, with particular interest in whether Phobos contains subsurface ice or originated from ejected Martian material.
MMX mission profile and landing challenges
- Phobos diameter: 22.2 km; Deimos: 12.6 km — both far smaller than Earth's moon
- Stable orbit around either moon is impossible due to low mass; MMX will use flyby maneuvers
- Landing approach resembles OSIRIS-REx's "touch-and-go" on asteroid Bennu, with expected hops before settling
- Surface regolith conditions unknown; Idefix rover will test whether wheeled traversal is viable
- Sample return capsule scheduled for Earth arrival by 2031
Why it matters
The mission could establish whether Phobos is viable as a future human outpost for Mars observation and telerobotics, requiring far less energy than landing on Mars itself.
Original reference: hackaday.com →