MMX : JAXA : Phobos Sample Return

[redliox]

Is there a benefit to using a quasi orbit versus a syndonic orbit? If what I read on quasi is right, it's basically traveling the same period as your target but zooming by thanks to high eccentricity. Is the high eccentricity to minimize maneuvering post-capture?

Dawn and most of the (orbital) asteroid missions seem to go slow and incrementally cuddle up to their targets. MMX seems less patient, but the goal is to return to Earth instead of loitering for science. Any reason for some of these differences?

[Timber Micka]

https://twitter.com/mmx_jaxa_en/status/1470664863319937025

[jackvancouver]

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

I honestly think this is the coolest part of the mission. I've always seen it as public outreach that full motion video (remember each time NHK and JAXA team up, the cameras run at full frame rate. 1080i for the Lunar probe, 4K 29.97p for the Sony A7SII mounted to the station, and I really hope this is 8K 60fps on MMX) gives a more impactful impression on people vs low frame rate or stills in the right orbit.

Also, they planned long term for dead pixel replacement algorithms if you look back at the lunar mission briefs.

[Dalhousie]

Although there have been mentions, there does not seem to be a dedicated thread for this mission, due to launch next year.  Here are some links to kick things off.

https://www.mmx.jaxa.jp/en/

https://www.isas.jaxa.jp/en/missions/spacecraft/developing/mmx.html

[zubenelgenubi: There is already a thread.  Threads merged.  Thank you for the updates.]

[Dalhousie]

Australia-Japan leaders support in principle the landing of the MMX (Martian Moons eXploration) capsule in Australia.

https://www.isas.jaxa.jp/en/topics/003227.html

[Dalhousie]

JAXA and NASA sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for cooperation on the MMX mission

https://www.isas.jaxa.jp/en/topics/003375.html

[Blackstar]

https://twitter.com/CNES/status/1671065692576120833

[Blackstar]

New MMX briefing.

[Blackstar]

https://www.leonarddavid.com/japans-mission-to-the-red-planet-probing-the-mysterious-moons-of-mars/?fbclid=IwAR1kgNGqvws9aADZFUY71awj8mKTTiH4kAPwQQw9yKrCUk_s-hCqRtq23X0

[redliox]

https://www.leonarddavid.com/japans-mission-to-the-red-planet-probing-the-mysterious-moons-of-mars/?fbclid=IwAR1kgNGqvws9aADZFUY71awj8mKTTiH4kAPwQQw9yKrCUk_s-hCqRtq23X0

Nice the mission's being talked about, although it's behind a paywall at Spaceref.com.

[Blackstar]

https://www.leonarddavid.com/japans-mission-to-the-red-planet-probing-the-mysterious-moons-of-mars/?fbclid=IwAR1kgNGqvws9aADZFUY71awj8mKTTiH4kAPwQQw9yKrCUk_s-hCqRtq23X0

Nice the mission's being talked about, although it's behind a paywall at Spaceref.com.

Yeah, I noticed that. Sorry.

[tul]

Because of the difficulties with the H3 Japan delayed the launch of the MMX mission to 2026. New return date is 2031.
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20231206/k10014279131000.html

https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/science-nature/science/20231206-154061/

[JulesVerneATV]

The Japanese space agency JAXA confirmed the two-year delay in the launch of the Martian Moons eXploration, or MMX, mission, blaming it in part on the H3 rocket that will launch the spacecraft.
https://spacenews.com/japanese-mars-mission-launch-delayed-to-2026/
“Owing to evaluate the demonstration results of the second H3 rocket test vehicle and considering the importance to ensure sufficient time for preliminary verification of MMX on the ground, the launch schedule for Japanese rockets has been reviewed,” the agency said in a Jan. 10 statement to SpaceNews.
The H3 made its inaugural launch in March 2023 but failed to reach orbit when its second stage engine did not ignite, likely because of an electrical issue. JAXA announced Dec. 27 it had scheduled the second H3 launch for as soon as Feb. 14, carrying a test payload and two smallsats.
MMX was scheduled to launch in September 2024. It would have entered orbit around Mars in August 2025 and remained there for three years before heading back to Earth, returning in September 2029.

[redliox]

Major pity on the delay, but glad it's not a cancelation.  JAXA will still end up with the honor of bringing the first samples from the vicinity of Mars back to Earth.

[Zed_Noir]

Major pity on the delay, but glad it's not a cancelation.  JAXA will still end up with the honor of bringing the first samples from the vicinity of Mars back to Earth.

Wonder if using another launcher is an option for JAXA to avoid the 2 year delay?

[Blackstar]

Major pity on the delay, but glad it's not a cancelation.  JAXA will still end up with the honor of bringing the first samples from the vicinity of Mars back to Earth.

Wonder if using another launcher is an option for JAXA to avoid the 2 year delay?

What other launcher does Japan have that has this capability?

[DanClemmensen]

Major pity on the delay, but glad it's not a cancelation.  JAXA will still end up with the honor of bringing the first samples from the vicinity of Mars back to Earth.

Wonder if using another launcher is an option for JAXA to avoid the 2 year delay?

What other launcher does Japan have that has this capability?

I think "another launcher" is a polite euphemism for "Falcon 9".

[Blackstar]

Major pity on the delay, but glad it's not a cancelation.  JAXA will still end up with the honor of bringing the first samples from the vicinity of Mars back to Earth.

Wonder if using another launcher is an option for JAXA to avoid the 2 year delay?

What other launcher does Japan have that has this capability?

I think "another launcher" is a polite euphemism for "Falcon 9".

Not Japanese.

The idea that SpaceX solves all problems is simplistic and naive.

[DanClemmensen]

Major pity on the delay, but glad it's not a cancelation.  JAXA will still end up with the honor of bringing the first samples from the vicinity of Mars back to Earth.

Wonder if using another launcher is an option for JAXA to avoid the 2 year delay?

What other launcher does Japan have that has this capability?

I think "another launcher" is a polite euphemism for "Falcon 9".

Not Japanese.

The idea that SpaceX solves all problems is simplistic and naive.

No, but it might solve this particular problem.

Falcon 9 has become the default alternate launcher when the primary launcher in not available for whatever reason, even when there are political or business reasons to want to avoid it. Examples are OneWeb (a competitor), Kuiper (wrong multibillionaire) and Copernicus (not European). "Not Japanese" may give way to the desire to actually launch.

[TheKutKu]

Major pity on the delay, but glad it's not a cancelation.  JAXA will still end up with the honor of bringing the first samples from the vicinity of Mars back to Earth.

Wonder if using another launcher is an option for JAXA to avoid the 2 year delay?

MMX's mass was reported as 4,000 kg in 2020 https://www.mext.go.jp/kaigisiryo/content/000034537.pdf and inserted in a direct Mars transfer orbit; which is awfuly close to Falcon 9's advertised payload to mars of 4,020 kg (which also isn't a static thing, but slightly varies for each synods);

4 years later I have no doubt that the inevitable minor mass creep makes it impossible for JAXA to launch it on a Falcon 9, so the alternative is a Falcon Heavy which is possibly unavailable to order and launch on such a relatively short notice and, anyway, more expensive than a H3 and maybe unafordable for JAXA's planned budget (minimum of $97 Million vs $50-90M variously reported for H3).

ULA is booked, Ariane 64 will not be ready for the launch, HIIA is both booked, phasing out and not powerful enough, LVM3 is not capable, there are no alternatives.