The Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission, led by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), represents a significant international collaboration aimed at unraveling the mysteries surrounding Mars' two moons, Phobos and Deimos. Scheduled for launch in 2026, MMX is poised to land on Phobos, collect surface samples, and return them to Earth by 2029. This endeavor seeks to elucidate the origins of these moons and their role in the Martian system's evolution. ([mmx.jaxa.jp](

NASA's Involvement in MMX

NASA's participation in the MMX mission underscores the agency's commitment to international scientific collaboration. In April 2023, NASA selected ten researchers from various U.S. institutions to join the MMX Science Working Team as NASA-supported participating scientists. These experts are tasked with analyzing data from MMX's instruments and the samples returned from Phobos. Their contributions are pivotal in advancing our understanding of the Martian moons. ([jpl.nasa.gov](

Selected Scientists and Their Roles

The ten scientists chosen for this mission bring a diverse set of expertise to the team:

  • Olivier Barnouin (Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory): Will create high-resolution digital terrain models of Phobos and Deimos, studying surface features and the properties of the Phobos regolith through rover interactions.
  • Matteo Crismani (California State University, San Bernardino): Aims to investigate the role of interplanetary dust particles in forming high-altitude ice clouds in Mars' atmosphere.
  • R. Terik Daly (Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory): Plans to detect surface changes on Phobos and Deimos by comparing MMX imagery with data from previous missions.
  • Christopher Edwards (Northern Arizona University): Will apply thermophysical models to MMX's infrared spectra to map variations in spectral properties and surface roughness across the moons.
  • Abigail Fraeman (NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory): Intends to integrate data from various MMX instruments to learn about the moons' compositions and test hypotheses regarding spectral absorptions observed on Phobos.
  • Sander Goossens (NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center): Plans to use MMX data to constrain the moons' gravity fields, shapes, rotational states, and internal mass distributions.
  • Christine Hartzell (University of Maryland): Aims to explore the physical properties of Phobos' surface regolith by analyzing rover data to identify regolith clumps and understand the forces holding them together.
  • Nicolas Dauphas (University of Chicago): Will utilize mass spectrometry to determine elemental and isotopic abundances in the Phobos samples and measure their ages using rubidium-strontium dating.
  • Jemma Davidson (Arizona State University): Plans to analyze opaque minerals in the Phobos samples using microscopy and mass spectrometry to elucidate the moon's origin and alteration history.
  • Daniel Glavin (NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center): Aims to study organic compounds, including amino acids and aldehydes, in the Phobos samples using gas and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. ([jpl.nasa.gov](

NASA's Instrument Contribution: MEGANE

Beyond selecting scientists, NASA is contributing to MMX through the development of the Mars-moon Exploration with Gamma rays and Neutrons (MEGANE) spectrograph. This instrument is designed to analyze the elemental composition of Phobos by measuring the energies of neutrons and gamma rays emitted from the moon's surface. Understanding the composition of Phobos is crucial for determining its origin, whether it resulted from a large impact on Mars or was captured as an asteroid. MEGANE was delivered to JAXA in March 2024 for integration into the MMX spacecraft. ([science.nasa.gov](

Mission Objectives and Scientific Goals

The primary objectives of the MMX mission include:

  • Origin of Martian Moons: Investigating whether Phobos and Deimos are remnants of an ancient collision with Mars or captured asteroids, providing insights into the formation and evolution of the Martian system. ([mmx.jaxa.jp](
  • Sample Return: Collecting samples from Phobos and returning them to Earth, offering a unique opportunity to study extraterrestrial material from the Martian system. ([mmx.jaxa.jp](
  • Planetary Formation Processes: Understanding the mechanisms that transported key materials, such as water and organic matter, to Mars, which are essential for the emergence and habitability of life on terrestrial planets. ([mmx.jaxa.jp](

International Collaboration and Future Prospects

The MMX mission exemplifies the collaborative spirit of space exploration, with contributions from JAXA, NASA, the French Space Agency (CNES), the German Aerospace Center (DLR), and the European Space Agency (ESA). This international partnership aims to enhance our understanding of the Martian moons and their role in the broader context of planetary science. The mission's success could pave the way for future collaborative efforts in exploring other celestial bodies and addressing fundamental questions about the origins of our solar system. ([mmx.jaxa.jp](

Sources

  • NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory — NASA Selects 10 Scientists for International Mission to Martian Moons —
  • NASA — NASA Selects Instrument for Future International Mission to Martian Moons —
  • NASA Science — NASA Delivers Science Instrument to JAXA’s Martian Moons Mission —
  • NASA — NASA Selects Teams to Study Our Moon, Mars’ Moons, and More —
  • JAXA — MMX - Martian Moons eXploration —