Martian Moons eXploration

Are the Martian Moons asteroids? Are they something else, much larger? The answer might explain the early dynamics of our solar system, and this is what MMX is willing to discover.

Mission Objective

Martian Moon eXploration (MMX) is aiming to reveal the origin of Mars’ two moons, Phobos and Deimos. The MMX will orbit Mars and collect surface samples from Phobos to determine whether those are captured asteroids or a result of a large object hitting Mars.

Mission Significance

The determination of the moon’s origin will clarify the material exchange between planetary bodies in the early solar system. This will allow us to learn about the early dynamics and the processes that shaped our planets in the solar system.

Source: JAXA

Engineering Challenges

MMX’s mission has to cope with various complex engineering challenges:

• Stability and Navigation – MMX requires highly delicate navigation systems. It must maintain a stable orbit around small objects, the moons, with irregular gravity fields. Moreover, the spacecraft needs to execute precise landings within incredibly weak gravitational environments, times smaller than Earth’s.
• Thermal control – The complex heat fluxes emitted from the surfaces might disrupt sensitive instruments and, therefore, data transmission. Those occur due to Mars’ surface sunlight reflection and high albedo contrast from Phobo’s surface.
• Optical Control – Stray light hitting imaging and spectrography systems can distort the spectral data. Even relatively small reflections can cause great distortion. Hence, addressing the correct solution for the optical instrument of MMX is crucial for correct imaging.

Source: JAXA

Instrument’s Characteristics

The spacecraft instrument loading is rich and complex to achieve its technological and scientific goals:

• Scientific Payload: MMX equipped with seven scientific instruments. These include two imagers, a LIDAR instrument, an IR spectrometer, a gamma-ray and neutron spectrometer, a dust monitor device, and a mass spectrum analyzer. Those instruments are designed to collect data to study the moons, their surface structure, composition, and their environment.
• IDEFIX Rover: Other than the former, MMX will carry a small rover which will perform sample collection from Phobos’ surface. IDEFIX is equipped with two navigation cameras, two wheel cameras, a radiometer, and a Ramen spectrometer. CNES and DLR developed the rover, and its data will serve both for landing model validation and for sample return.
• Sample Return System: Consists of a pneumatic device called Sampler-H that collects regolith grains during a brief touchdown. It also includes a Return Capsule to bring back at least 10 grams of material to Earth. This system, aided by a robotic arm and containment, allows direct analysis of Phobos material to determine if Mars’s moons are captured asteroids or impact remnants.

Acktar’s Solution

As Acktar specializes in providing solutions for thermal control and optical accuracy for a variety of instruments, it provides proper solutions to countless space missions. In the MMX mission, Ackatar is responsible for the NavCams, the IDEFIX rover’s two navigation cameras. NavCams will be coated with Vaccum Black coating, to ensure accurate navigation for the IDEFIX rover and, by that, precise sample collection.

Source: JAXA

Impact

The MMX goal is to return a sample from another planet’s moon, which makes it Japan’s most ambitious planetary mission so far. Initially, the complex spacecraft design and the collaborative work on the mission imply its technological significance and global scientific contribution. Above it all, its discoveries might reshape our understanding of our early solar system’s material composition and dynamics, and by that shed light on further scientifically important discoveries.

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