MMXMartian Moons eXploration

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

Martian Moons eXploration (MMX)The Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission will be the world's first mission to return samples from the Martiansphere (the Martian moon, Phobos) by utilizing technology developed through the Hayabusa2 sample return mission.
MMX will analyze hydrous minerals, water, and organic matter contained in the soil of the Martian moon to clarify
the existence of water and organic matter in the Martian sphere, the origin of the two Martian moons, and the evolution
process of the Martian sphere system (Mars, Phobos, and Deimos). MMX will also help elucidate the migration processof organic matter and water in the primitive Solar System and their supply to celestial bodies.
In addition, the mission will carry out the world's first detailed observation of Phobos’ surface topography, groundinformation and surrounding environment, and investigate the moon's potential use as a base for future crewed Marsexploration.

■ MMX Facts

Credit:NASA/JPL-Caltech/
University of Arizona

Upper : CG Image of MMX

Lower left : Collection of sample by sampling equipment■ Mission Overview
MMX is scheduled to arrive in thevicinity of Mars approximately one year
after launch, after which the spacecraft
will enter an orbit to fly near theMartian moons. The spacecraft isscheduled to stay in the Martian orbit for
about three years, during which it willconduct observations, attempt to land on
Phobos twice, and collect samples. Aftercompletion of observations and sample
collection, the spacecraft will take about
one year to return to Earth.

Item

Performance/Features

Configuration

Three-module configuration(Propulsion / Exploration /Return)LauncherH3-24L

Launch Year

2026

Mission Duration

5 years

Launch Mass

4,200kg

Propellant Mass

Propulsion Mod. : 1,750kg
Return Mod. : 1,100kg

Communication

X-band 32kbps/Ka-band 128kbps(When distance btw Earth-Mars=2.7au)

Electric Power

High-efficiency thin-film solar cells

Landing Navigation

Image-based navigation
SLIM-derived technology

Lower right : Phobos image taken by NASA MROMMX Mission Instruments
1313461011593212
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MMX Mission Instruments Layout

Observations by remote sensing /on the surface of Phobos● TENGOO (TElescopic Nadir imager for GeOmOrphology)①Carries out a detailed observation of the surface structure
and the topography around the sampling points on Phobos to
obtain information necessary for material distribution andsample collection.
● OROCHI (Optical RadiOmeter composed of CHromatic Imagers)②Observes hydrous minerals in the surface layer of Phobos
and estimate materials around sampling sites.
●③ MIRS (MMX InfraRed Spectrometer)
Performs near-infrared spectroscopic observations of thesurface layers of Phobos to map the distribution of mineraland molecular species (especially hydrous minerals andorganic matter).
●④ MEGANE (Mars-moon Exploration with GAmma rays and NEutrons)
Measures neutrons and gamma rays emitted from thesurface of Phobos to determine its elemental composition.
●⑤ LIDAR (Laser Altimeter)
Obtains global topographic information of Phobos andcreate its detailed shape models.
●⑥ CMDM (Circum-Martian Dust Monitor)
Detects Mars dust rings or determine upper limits for dust
abundance to constrain dust re-accumulation events on Mars
moon orbits.
●⑦ MSA (Mass Spectrum Analyzer)
Observes Martian and Martian-moon origin ions and solar
wind ions, and select/measure the origin of each.
●⑧ IDEFIX (Rover)Lands before the MMX spacecraft, explore the surface ofPhobos, and acquire properties of the surface regolith toreduce the risk of landing and sample acquisition operations,as well as acquire calibration data for science observations.

Sampling and Return⑨ C-SMP (Coring Sampler)●
Collects regolith from the surface of Phobos to a depth of
2cm and transfer to the return capsule.
⑩ P-SMP (Pneumatic Sampler)●
Collects and retain a small amount of regolith from thesurface layer of Phobos using a nitrogen gas injection
collection mechanism.
⑪ SRC (Sample Return Capsule)●Brings back to Earth Phobos samples obtained by the two
types of sampling equipment.

Acquisition of exploration technology⑫● IREM (Interplanetary Radiation Environment Monitor)
Obtains energy spectra of solar energetic particles andestablish a method for evaluating radiation exposure doses.
⑬● SHV (Super Hi-Vision cameras)
Contributes to the operational improvement and outreachof space exploration through high-definition (8K, 4K)
imaging of Phobos and will help visualize the mission.

Instruments provided by:④⑩ National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)●●③● National Center for Space Studies (CNES)⑧● CNES, German Aerospace Center (DLR)⑬● Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK)Scientific and Technical Significance of MMX■ Origin of the Martian Moons
Giant Impact

AsteroidCapture

Moon
Formation
Credit: Tokyo Tech. ELSI, Kurokawa Hiroyuki

Credit: Tokyo Tech. ELSI, Kurokawa Hiroyuki

Asteroid Capture Theory

Giant Impact Theory

Theory that an originally distant asteroidchanged its orbit due to collision with anothercelestial body, flew to the vicinity of Mars, andwas captured by the Martian gravity.

Theory that the Martian moons were formed
after a major celestial impact with Mars thatscattered debris into Mars’ orbit and thenre-accumulated to form the moons.

MMX aims to settle the theory of the origin of Martian moons by analyzing the returned samples.

■ Expansion and development of asteroid exploration and sample return technologies
Based on the successful Hayabusa and Hayabusa2 missions, MMX will take advantage of Japan's world-leading smallcelestial body exploration and sample return technologies to challenge sample return from one of the most important
unexplored celestial bodies in the Solar System, Phobos.
To date, Japan and the United States are the only countries that havesuccessfully collected and recovered samples from extraterrestrial
bodies outside the Earth system.
The Martian moons Phobos and Deimos are small bodies, about
10-20 km in diameter, that have never been directly explored. MMX
will land on the surface of Phobos and, during its several-hour stay,collect samples of 10g or more from a depth of 2cm or greater (Hayabusa2
aimed to collect 0.1g)
using an advanced
sampling device withmanipulators andcorers.
Credit:NASA/JPL-Caltech/
University of Arizona

PhobosDeimosmoons not shown to scale

The Martian moons

Web Page

MMX Web pagehttps://www.mmx.jaxa.jp/en/

MMX “X” Account@mmx_jaxa_en©JAXA, Tokyo Univ.

Upper: Hayabusa2 touchdown on asteroid (illustration)
Lower left: Asteroid Ryugu
Lower right: Image from Ryugu surface observation
by MINERVA-II1

JSEC “X” Account@jsec_jaxa_en