Martian Moons eXploration Revealed At Tanegashima. IDEFIX French Rover To Explore Phobos Surface. 10 Grams Of Sample Target. Mission Also Observes Deimos. NASA Mars Sample Return Effectively Cancelled Under Trump. Giant Impact vs Capture Hypotheses To Be Resolved
According to Japan Today/AFP, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Martian Moons eXploration spacecraft; MMX, is being readied for launch from Tanegashima Space Center in the coming months, targeting a sample return from Phobos, one of Mars’ two moons, with a return capsule set to land in Australia around 2031.
The spacecraft will remain in Mars’ orbit for approximately three years, attempt a landing on Phobos to collect at least 10 grams of surface material, and deploy the IDEFIX rover, named after Asterix’s dog, to conduct surface observations. MMX will also observe Deimos without landing before heading home. The mission carries collaboration from France’s CNES, Germany’s DLR, NASA and the ESA.
JAXA hopes the mission will resolve the two competing theories for how Mars’ moons formed the “giant impact” hypothesis and the “capture” hypothesis and reveal how the solar system’s rocky planets acquired water, volatiles and organic compounds. “If Phobos and Deimos are indeed remnants of these early delivery systems, they may hold clues to the origins of life itself,” said French astrophysicist Patrick Michel.
China’s Tianwen-3 mission is also scheduled for 2028 and could return Mars samples around 2031, potentially before MMX. NASA’s Mars sample return was effectively cancelled by the Trump administration following a Congressional vote in January.
Two missions racing for Mars samples. One already cancelled. The answer to life’s origins waits on Phobos.
Check out our previous coverage of science and space on The Trusted Times.
