Preliminary design of Martian Moons eXploration (MMX)

Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) is a mission under development in JAXA in cooperation with NASA, CNES, ESA, DLR to be launched in 2024. This paper introduces the result of its preliminary design and the latest status of the MMX program, putting more weight on the novel part of the mission. The goal of MMX is to reveal the origin of the Martian moons and then to make progress in our understanding of planetary system formation and of primordial material transport around the border between the inner-and the outer part of the early solar system. Additionally, the mission is to survey two Martian moons and return samples from Phobos. Add to those MMX's contribution to the planetary science field, on the growing discussion on the International Space Exploration activities, MMX's contribution to future human Mars exploration is also considered as an essential aspect of the program. Following the system definition study results presented in the previous conference, the following items will be reported in this paper. First, as a result of the comprehensive completion of the Phase-B activities, the preliminary design is completed in coordination with the design of the spacecraft system, mission instruments, and operation plans. This paper describes the proximity and surface operations around Phobos in detail. Second, Phase-C activities have started, incorporating engineering models manufacturing and tests. Those of critical technologies for surface exploration are described in detail. Moreover third, the programmatic aspects, including international cooperation frameworks and the program schedule, are presented.

Automated summary

Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) is a mission developed by JAXA in collaboration with NASA, CNES, ESA, DLR, which is scheduled to be launched in 2024. This paper presents the preliminary design and the latest status of MMX program, with emphasis on its innovative aspects. The goal of MMX is to investigate the origin of Martian moons, understand planetary system formation, and study the transport of primordial material in the early solar system. The paper also discusses MMX's contribution to planetary science and its relevance to future human Mars exploration, as well as providing details on the mission's proximity and surface operations around Phobos, critical technologies for surface exploration, and programmatic aspects.