Germany, France, and Japan have agreed to send a compact research rover to Phobos, the larger of Mars’s two moons. This development was reported by Universe Today, highlighting a significant international collaboration in planetary science.
Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) is a mission led by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) in partnership with the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the French National Space Research Center (CNES). A central feature of MMX is the Phobos rover, designed to operate on the Martian moon’s rugged surface and to carry a suite of scientific instruments suited for in-situ analysis and surface sampling.
At the Paris Air Show in Le Bourget, France, held from 18 to 25 June, the three agencies formalized their cooperation under the MMX framework. As part of the agreement, DLR and CNES will contribute the Phobos rover, which at the time of the event carried the project designation IDEFIX. The rover’s development was progressing in CNES’s Toulouse laboratory, with a target completion anticipated in the summer of 2023, aligning with broader MMX milestones.
The MMX mission architecture comprises three primary elements: a propulsion module, a probe module, and a sample return capsule. The research module, equipped with landing legs and an array of scientific instruments including samplers, will host the IDEFIX rover. The propulsion module provides the energy and maneuvering capability for interplanetary transit, while the sample return capsule is designed to secure collected materials for potential Earth-based analysis. The rover’s onboard payload includes cameras to capture terrain and surface context, a radiometer for thermal measurements, and a Raman spectrometer to investigate mineral composition on Phobos’s surface.
The overarching scientific objective is to determine the origin of Phobos and other Martian moons. Researchers want to understand whether these moons are captured asteroids or remnants produced by past collisions involving Mars. By examining surface materials and environmental conditions, MMX aims to reveal clues about the early history of the inner solar system. The mission is planned to launch in 2024, with arrival at Phobos expected in the latter half of the decade, subject to final project reviews and mission readiness assessments.
Beyond its immediate scientific returns, MMX represents a notable example of international collaboration in space exploration. The partnership leverages different national strengths in instrumentation, spacecraft design, and mission operations, illustrating how coordinated efforts can advance complex scientific targets. The Phobos rover, as a core element of this collaboration, is expected to contribute unique measurements that complement data from orbiters and landers studying Mars and its moons. The integrated mission concept emphasizes both in-situ analysis on Phobos and the secure handling of samples for potential future study on Earth, aligning with evolving scientific priorities in planetary science. (citation: Universe Today)