The MMX rover: performing in situ surface investigations on Phobos

Earth, Planets and Space

Laurent Jorda¹  Pierre Vernazza¹  Olivier Groussin¹  Denis Arrat²  Simon Tardivel²  Gabriel Pont²  Hirdy Miyamoto³  Jan Thimo Grundmann⁴  Markus Grebenstein⁵  Ute Böttger⁶  Jörg Knollenberg⁷  Matthias Grott⁷  Jens Biele⁸  Stephan Ulamec⁸  Stephane Mary⁹  Kiyoshi Kuramoto^1,10  Naomi Murdoch^1,11  Tomoki Nakamura^1,12  Rudy Valette^1,13  Romain Castellani^1,13  Koji Wada^1,14  Kent Yoshikawa^1,15  Yun Zhang^1,16  Patrick Michel^1,16  Cecily Sunday^1,17 

[1] Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, CNES, Laboratoire d’Astrophysique de Marseille, Marseille, France;CNES, BPI 2532, Laplace 116B, 18 avenue Édouard Belin, 31401, Toulouse Cedex 9, France;Department of Systems Innovation, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, 113-8656, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan;Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V. (DLR), Institute of Space Systems, Robert-Hooke-Strasse 7, 28359, Bremen, Germany;Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR), 82234, Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany;Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR), Institute of Optical Sensor Systems, Rutherfordstr. 2, 12489, Berlin, Germany;Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR), Institute of Planetary Research, Rutherfordstrasse 2, 12489, Berlin, Germany;Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR), Space Operations and Astronaut Training, Linder Höhe, 51147, Cologne, Germany;Directorate for Orbital Systems / Science Project Department, 18 avenue Edouard Belin, 31401, Toulouse Cedex 9, France;Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Kita-10 Nishi-8, Kita-ku, 060-0810, Sapporo, Japan;ISAE-SUPAERO, Université de Toulouse, DEOS/Space Systems for Planetary Applications, 10 avenue Edouard Belin, BP 54032, 31055, Toulouse Cedex 4, France;Laboratory for Early Solar System Evolution, Department of Earth Science, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University, Aoba, 980-8578, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan;Mines ParisTech, PSL Research University, CEMEF, Centre for Material Forming, CNRS UMR 7635, CS 10207 rue Claude Daunesse, 06904, Sophia Antipolis Cedex, France;Planetary Exploration Research Center (PERC), Chiba Institute of Technology (Chitech), Tsudanuma 2-17-1, 275-0016, Narashino, Chiba, Japan;Research and Development Directorate, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, 252-5210, Sagamihara, Japan;Université Côte d’Azur, Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur, CNRS, Laboratoire Lagrange, 06304, Nice, France;Université de Toulouse, DEOS/Space Systems for Planetary Applications, 10 avenue Edouard Belin, BP 54032, 31055, Toulouse Cedex 4, France;

关键词: Camera;    Numerical modelling;    Phobos;    Radiometer;    Raman spectrometer;    Regolith;    Regolith dynamics;    Thermal inertia;    Rover;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s40623-021-01464-7

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

The Japanese MMX sample return mission to Phobos by JAXA will carry a rover developed by CNES and DLR that will be deployed on Phobos to perform in situ analysis of the Martian moon’s surface properties. Past images of the surface of Phobos show that it is covered by a layer of regolith. However, the mechanical and compositional properties of this regolith are poorly constrained. In particular, from current remote images, very little is known regarding the particle sizes, their chemical composition, the packing density of the regolith as well as other parameters such as friction and cohesion that influence surface dynamics. Understanding the properties and dynamics of the regolith in the low-gravity environment of Phobos is important to trace back its history and surface evolution. Moreover, this information is also important to support the interpretation of data obtained by instruments onboard the main MMX spacecraft, and to minimize the risks involved in the spacecraft sampling operations. The instruments onboard the Rover are a Raman spectrometer (RAX), an infrared radiometer (miniRad), two forward-looking cameras for navigation and science purposes (NavCams), and two cameras observing the interactions of regolith and the rover wheels (WheelCams). The Rover will be deployed before the MMX spacecraft samples Phobos’ surface and will be the first rover to drive on the surface of a Martian moon and in a very low gravity environment.Graphic Abstract

【 授权许可】

CC BY