Author Topic: MMX : JAXA : Phobos Sample Return  (Read 37203 times)

Offline catdlr

  • Member
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11169
  • Enthusiast since the Redstones
  • Marina del Rey, California, USA
  • Liked: 8785
  • Likes Given: 7815
Re: JAXA's Mars moon Sample Return Mission MMX
« Reply #20 on: 11/17/2017 12:13 am »
November 16, 2017
RELEASE 17-090
NASA Selects Instrument for Future International Mission to Martian Moons

NASA has selected a science instrument for an upcoming Japan-led sample return mission to the moons of Mars planned for launch in 2024. The instrument, a sophisticated neutron and gamma-ray spectrograph, will help scientists resolve one of the most enduring mysteries of the Red Planet -- when and how the small moons formed.

The Mars Moons eXploration (MMX) mission is in development by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). MMX will visit the two Martian moons, Phobos and Deimos, land on the surface of Phobos, and collect a surface sample. Plans are for the sample to be returned to Earth in 2029. NASA is supporting the development of one of the spacecraft’s suite of seven science instruments.

“Solving the riddle of how Mars’ moons came to be will help us better understand how planets formed around our Sun and, in turn, around other stars,” said Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD) at Headquarters in Washington. “International partnerships like this provide high-quality science with high- impact return.”

The selected instrument, named MEGANE (pronounced meh-gah-nay, meaning “eyeglasses” in Japanese), will be developed by a team led by David Lawrence of the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland. MEGANE will give MMX the ability to “see” the elemental composition of Phobos, by measuring the energies of neutrons and gamma-rays emitted from the small moon. The elementary particles are emitted naturally as a result of the high-energy cosmic rays and solar energetic particles that continually strike and penetrate the surface of Phobos.

“With MMX, we hope to understand the origin of the moons of Mars,” said Masaki Fujimoto, director of the department of solar system science in JAXA’s Institute of Space and Aeronautical Sciences. “They may have formed as the result of a large impact on Mars, or they may be captured asteroids of a sort that may have brought a great deal of water to both Mars and Earth.”

MEGANE will be developed under NASA’s Discovery Program, which provides frequent, low-cost access to space using principal investigator-led space science investigations relevant to SMD’s planetary science program.

“We’ll see the composition of the region from which MMX collects its sample,” said Thomas Statler, program scientist for MMX at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “This will help us better understand what we discover in the laboratory when the mission returns the sample to Earth for analysis.”

The Discovery Program is managed by NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama for SMD, which conducts a wide variety of research and scientific exploration programs for Earth studies, space weather, the solar system and universe.

For more information about the Discovery Program, visit:

https://planetarymissions.nasa.gov/

For information about NASA and space science, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/topics/solarsystem/index.html

-end-
« Last Edit: 06/21/2019 10:02 pm by zubenelgenubi »
Tony De La Rosa, ...I'm no Feline Dealer!! I move mountains.  but I'm better known for "I think it's highly sexual." Japanese to English Translation.

Offline Star One

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13997
  • UK
  • Liked: 3974
  • Likes Given: 220
Re: JAXA's Mars moon Sample Return Mission MMX
« Reply #21 on: 11/21/2017 07:15 pm »
Quote
Solving the riddle of how Mars’ moons came to be will help us better understand how planets formed around our Sun and, in turn, around other stars,” said Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator for NASA’s science mission directorate. “International partnerships like this provide high-quality science with high-impact return.”

“We’ll see the composition of the region from which MMX collects its sample,” said Thomas Statler, program scientist for MMX at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “This will help us better understand what we discover in the laboratory when the mission returns the sample to Earth for analysis.”

https://astronomynow.com/2017/11/20/nasa-confirms-contribution-to-japanese-led-mars-mission/

Offline redliox

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2537
  • Illinois USA
  • Liked: 683
  • Likes Given: 97
Re: JAXA's Mars moon Sample Return Mission MMX
« Reply #22 on: 01/15/2018 10:34 pm »
Establishing a thread for JAXA's MMX mission, planned for launch in September 2024.

Mission's website: http://mmx.isas.jaxa.jp/en/index.html
PDF Roadmap of the mission: http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/en/topics/files/MMX170412_EN.pdf

While still in Phase A, I am excited for Japan's mission since it will investigate both moons with emphasis on (as well as sample return from) Phobos.
"Let the trails lead where they may, I will follow."
-Tigatron

Offline Star One

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13997
  • UK
  • Liked: 3974
  • Likes Given: 220
Re: JAXA's Mars moon Sample Return Mission MMX
« Reply #23 on: 06/21/2019 11:16 am »
Japan will send a rover to Martian moons with help from Germany and France

Quote
We might be able to study the Martian moons Phobos and Deimos a lot more closely in the coming decade. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has teamed up with Germany's and France's space agencies to send a spacecraft with a rover to the red planet's faithful companions. In fact, JAXA has just finalized its agreement to work with the German Aerospace Center (DLR) on the study-phase activities for its Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission.

Offline Tywin

Re: JAXA's Mars moon Sample Return Mission MMX
« Reply #24 on: 06/21/2019 04:31 pm »
Quote
The spacecraft will carry a German-French rover that will land on either Phobos or Deimos and explore the surface in detail for several months

Quote
"The world-first exploration of the Martian moons with a rover is a major technical challenge that we are tackling within the framework of our strong and proven partnership with Japan and France," says Pascale Ehrenfreund, Chair of the DLR Executive Board. "Together, we want to push the boundaries of what is technically feasible in robotic exploration and expand our knowledge about the origin of the solar system."

http://www.marsdaily.com/reports/A_Rover_for_Phobos_and_Deimos_999.html

The mission will be amazing...
The knowledge is power...Everything is connected...
The Turtle continues at a steady pace ...

Offline eeergo

-DaviD-

Offline K-P

  • Full Member
  • **
  • Posts: 202
  • Liked: 155
  • Likes Given: 2
Re: JAXA's Mars moon Sample Return Mission, MMX
« Reply #26 on: 02/19/2020 10:46 am »
Glad to hear at least some updates on this mission.

I still don't understand why such "low-hanging fruits" like Phobos and Deimos have been totally forgotten all these years by NASA/ESA?
You could do Mars-science and asteroid science at the same location and take advantage of the existing orbiter network for data transmissions.
There's also less risk with this mission compared to typical asteroid mission because of the pretty well known characteristics and existing surface mapping of those bodies from previous Mars missions.

So, only Japan, only now, is the only entity even planning such a mission.
Why so...? (of course USSR/Russia had its try but...)

With the modern nanosat capability there should be a piggyback mission to those moons each and every time something else is launched to the red planet, in my opinion...

Offline redliox

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2537
  • Illinois USA
  • Liked: 683
  • Likes Given: 97
Re: JAXA's Mars moon Sample Return Mission, MMX
« Reply #27 on: 02/19/2020 11:56 pm »
I still don't understand why such "low-hanging fruits" like Phobos and Deimos have been totally forgotten all these years by NASA/ESA?
You could do Mars-science and asteroid science at the same location and take advantage of the existing orbiter network for data transmissions.
There's also less risk with this mission compared to typical asteroid mission because of the pretty well known characteristics and existing surface mapping of those bodies from previous Mars missions.

The answer is simple: the glory of their parent planet outshines them.  A consolation prize is the fact Mars Express has an orbit that allows it to encounter Phobos, which prior to this mission has been the best source of recent science on the moons (with Phobos obviously hogging the attention).  There have been mission concepts proposed in the Discovery lineup many times before, but it's a big field to fight against.

So, only Japan, only now, is the only entity even planning such a mission.
Why so...? (of course USSR/Russia had its try but...)

Most likely they're eager to make some discoveries of their own plus apply their experience with the Hayabusa asteroid missions.

I'm excited for this mission.  It was something long-overdue!
"Let the trails lead where they may, I will follow."
-Tigatron

Offline Star One

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13997
  • UK
  • Liked: 3974
  • Likes Given: 220
Re: JAXA's Mars moon Sample Return Mission, MMX
« Reply #28 on: 02/20/2020 07:37 pm »
Here’s the official press release:

http://mmx-news.isas.jaxa.jp/?p=1016&lang=en

Offline yoichi

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1106
  • Liked: 678
  • Likes Given: 1
Re: JAXA's Mars moon Sample Return Mission, MMX
« Reply #29 on: 09/10/2020 07:21 am »
https://global.jaxa.jp/press/2020/09/20200910-2_e.html

8K Camera on the Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) Spacecraft to Take Ultra High Definition Images of Mars
September 10, 2020 (JST)

National Research & Development Agency
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK)

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) have decided to jointly develop a “Super Hi-Vision Camera” that is capable of filming 4K and 8K images in space for JAXA’s Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission. This would be the first time in history that 8K ultra high definition images of Mars and its moons are taken in proximity. By combining the actual flight data of the MMX spacecraft and the images taken by the Super Hi-Vision Camera, the exploration of the MMX spacecraft around Mars and its moons (the Martian system), 300 million kilometers from the Earth, will be recreated.

JAXA is currently developing the MMX spacecraft to be launched in JFY 2024, with the aim of clarifying the origin of the Martian moons and the evolutionary process of the Martian system. MMX is an internationally high-profile sample-return mission that aims to conduct scientific observations of the Martian moons, Phobos and Deimos, and of Mars, as well as land on Phobos to collect "sand" from its surface to return to Earth.

NHK is developing the Super Hi-Vision Camera in order to visualize MMX's challenges in ultra high definition images and broadcast them widely, with cooperation from JAXA. Images taken at regular intervals are partially transmitted to Earth to create a smooth image. The original image data is planned to be stored in a recording device in MMX's return capsule and brought back to Earth.

Over the years, JAXA and NHK have continued to take on the challenge of delivering images of space development since the live broadcasting from the space shuttle in 1992, followed by high-definition filming from the Kaguya lunar orbiter, 4K filming from the International Space Station (ISS), and visualizing the asteroid probe Hayabusa2 landing operation. This time, JAXA and NHK aim to take the world's first 8K images of Mars and its moons by utilizing the expertise accumulated through the past cooperation. In addition, JAXA and NHK aim to visualize the actual behavior of the spacecraft with the Super Hi-Vision Camera, providing a high level of reality by combining the 4K/8K images and MMX's flight data. These can also be used for the operation of the spacecraft.

By filming MMX's mission in the Martian system, 300 million kilometers away from Earth, with the newly developed Super Hi-Vision Camera, JAXA and NHK will work together to convey the appeal of a new horizon that has never been seen in detail before, to many people in a vivid and inspiring way.




Offline eeergo

-DaviD-

Offline russianhalo117

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8755
  • Liked: 4671
  • Likes Given: 768
Re: JAXA's Mars moon Sample Return Mission, MMX
« Reply #31 on: 08/19/2021 04:20 am »
MMX 2021 animation:


Offline MattMason

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1062
  • Space Enthusiast
  • Indiana
  • Liked: 772
  • Likes Given: 2016
Re: JAXA's Mars moon Sample Return Mission, MMX
« Reply #32 on: 08/22/2021 07:51 pm »
MMX 2021 animation:



This latest animation shows things are streamlined more on the vehicle; appears quite a bit of mass has been dropped.

Hopefully that extra mass doesn't include the DLR rover. While the official JAXA site still has a post about rover testing, I've not found new information on if it will still be included. I'd like to think it will be; JAXA likes their low-gravity rovers and did well with them on Hayabusa 2.
"Why is the logo on the side of a rocket so important?"
"So you can find the pieces." -Jim, the Steely Eyed

Offline russianhalo117

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8755
  • Liked: 4671
  • Likes Given: 768
Re: JAXA's Mars moon Sample Return Mission, MMX
« Reply #33 on: 08/27/2021 05:01 am »
Update:

Offline russianhalo117

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8755
  • Liked: 4671
  • Likes Given: 768
Re: JAXA's Mars moon Sample Return Mission, MMX
« Reply #34 on: 09/04/2021 12:56 am »
Japanese version:



English version:


Offline redliox

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2537
  • Illinois USA
  • Liked: 683
  • Likes Given: 97
"Let the trails lead where they may, I will follow."
-Tigatron

Offline redliox

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2537
  • Illinois USA
  • Liked: 683
  • Likes Given: 97
Re: JAXA's Mars moon Sample Return Mission, MMX
« Reply #36 on: 11/13/2021 09:44 pm »
Trying to calculate how close one has to get to either of the moons for a decent view; does anyone have any spreadsheets on calculating Martian orbits?
"Let the trails lead where they may, I will follow."
-Tigatron

Online Blackstar

  • Veteran
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 15287
  • Liked: 7822
  • Likes Given: 2
Re: JAXA's Mars moon Sample Return Mission, MMX
« Reply #37 on: 11/14/2021 02:50 am »
Trying to calculate how close one has to get to either of the moons for a decent view; does anyone have any spreadsheets on calculating Martian orbits?

That sorta depends on your optical system, of course. Bigger optical system, the farther away the spacecraft can be for a decent image. This one was taken by MRO from 5,800 kilometers away:

https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/MRO/multimedia/20080409.html


Offline Comga

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6466
  • Liked: 4572
  • Likes Given: 5136
Re: JAXA's Mars moon Sample Return Mission, MMX
« Reply #38 on: 11/14/2021 03:41 am »
https://global.jaxa.jp/press/2020/09/20200910-2_e.html

8K Camera on the Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) Spacecraft to Take Ultra High Definition Images of Mars
September 10, 2020 (JST)

National Research & Development Agency
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK)

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) have decided to jointly develop a “Super Hi-Vision Camera” that is capable of filming 4K and 8K images in space for JAXA’s Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission. This would be the first time in history that 8K ultra high definition images of Mars and its moons are taken in proximity. By combining the actual flight data of the MMX spacecraft and the images taken by the Super Hi-Vision Camera, the exploration of the MMX spacecraft around Mars and its moons (the Martian system), 300 million kilometers from the Earth, will be recreated.
(Snip)

Why do this?
The image of Phobos posted by Blackstar is taken by MRO using HiRISE. That’s a Time Delay Imager with IIRC ~14k rows and an image length limited by the data storage.  Its images can be much larger than 8k by 8k but the choke point is downlink speed. They can only run HiRISE for a few minutes per day.
Ralph on New Horizons took 5k wide images in monochrome and four “colors” yet it and the other six instruments managed to fill the tens of Gb SSDRs diring the single flyby, and that took over a year to downlink, even while transmitting at twice the planned rate.
What does taking enormous single images really buy them?
It does require them to use smaller pixels or a larger camera.
What’s the rush in a rendezvous mission?
What kind of wastrels would dump a perfectly good booster in the ocean after just one use?

Offline Phil Stooke

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1354
  • Canada
  • Liked: 1424
  • Likes Given: 1
Re: JAXA's Mars moon Sample Return Mission, MMX
« Reply #39 on: 11/14/2021 06:42 am »
I think the answer to 'why do this' is that it is an outreach camera.  Remember Kaguya, which bristled with science instruments but also carried a camera system which produced beautiful videos of flight across the lunar surface.  It was also associated with the Japanese public broadcaster NHK.  Here they are again associated with this camera, and what does the release say?  "By combining the actual flight data of the MMX spacecraft and the images taken by the Super Hi-Vision Camera, the exploration of the MMX spacecraft around Mars and its moons ... will be recreated."

The actual flight data is the science.  The other images will be combined to 'recreate' the mission.  For outreach.  I remember grizzled geologists weeping with joy at the big screens showing Kaguya movies at LPSC (well, maybe that's putting it a bit strong, but I might have heard a sniffle) and I expect the same here.

Tags:
 

Advertisement NovaTech
Advertisement Northrop Grumman
Advertisement
Advertisement Margaritaville Beach Resort South Padre Island
Advertisement Brady Kenniston
Advertisement NextSpaceflight
Advertisement Nathan Barker Photography
0