The Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission, an international effort led by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), has launched to investigate Mars' enigmatic moon Phobos. The mission, which was more than 10 years in the making, is considered one of the most complex space exploration endeavors to date. Upon reaching Mars, the spacecraft will follow a specially designed orbit alongside Phobos to map the moon's surface in detail.
A critical phase involves deploying a small rover named Idefix onto the surface of Phobos. Developed by the French and German space agencies, the rover will be dropped into the moon's microgravity environment. Designed to land without protective gear, Idefix will use self-righting legs and specially bladed wheels to navigate the terrain at one millimeter per second. This slow movement is essential for analyzing the mechanical properties of the moon's loosely consolidated surface.
After the rover assesses the surface, the main spacecraft will attempt a touchdown to collect samples. Using two distinct sampling mechanisms, the mission aims to gather at least 10 grams of material. Researchers anticipate that these samples might also contain ejecta from Mars itself, thrown into space by meteor impacts.
The collected samples are scheduled to return to Earth in 2031. Scientists expect this material will provide insights into the early solar system and the processes that shaped habitable planets.