The MMX Rover IDEFIX: Getting ready for launch and preparing Science Operations

Paper number

IAC-24,A3,4A,5,x82730

Author

Dr. Stephan Ulamec, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR), Germany

Coauthor

Dr. Patrick Michel, University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis, CNRS, Observatoire de la Cote d'Azur, France

Coauthor

Dr. Matthias Grott, DLR (German Aerospace Center), Germany

Coauthor

Dr. Susanne Schröder, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Berlin, Germany

Coauthor

Prof. Heinz-Wilhelm Hübers, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Berlin, Germany

Coauthor

Dr. Yuichiro Cho, Rikkyo University, Japan

Coauthor

Dr. Olga Prieto Ballesteros, Centro de Astrobiologia (INTA-CSIC), Spain

Coauthor

Dr. Naomi Murdoch, ISAE-Supaero University of Toulouse, France

Coauthor

Dr. Pierre Vernazza, Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Marseille, France

Coauthor

Dr. Jens Biele, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR), Germany

Coauthor

Dr. Jörg Knollenberg, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Berlin, Germany

Coauthor

Dr. Simon Tardivel, Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES), France

Coauthor

Mr. Christian Krause, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR), Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Cedric Delmas, Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES), France

Coauthor

Dr. Hirdy Miyamoto, University of Tokyo, Japan

Year

2024

Abstract

The Martian Moon eXploration (MMX) mission by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA,
is going to explore the martian moons Phobos and Deimos. Both moons will be investigated remotely from the mother spacecraft, that will also collect samples from the surface of Phobos, and a small rover, IDEFIX, will be delivered to Phobos´ surface.

The Rover carries a scientific payload of four instruments:  RAX, a Raman spectrometer to measure the mineralogical composition of the surface material, NavCam, a stereo pair of cameras looking ahead to image the terrain and also support navigation, miniRAD a radiometer measuring the surface brightness temperature of both regolith and rocks, and two WheelCams looking at the wheel-surface interface, and thus investigating the properties and dynamics of the regolith. The cameras, will serve for both, technological and scientific needs. 

Landing of the rover is foreseen in the time period between late 2028 and early 2029, and take place in context with the rehearsal of the first landing operations of the main spacecraft.  IDEFIX will be released from an altitude of about 40 m, fall to the surface, upright itself and drive and carry out scientific investigations for about 100 days.  

The flight model of the rover has been delivered to JAXA/MELCO where it is going to be integrated to the main spacecraft and will undergo further qualification and functional tests. Operational sequences, e.g. defining the interplay between locomotion and science instruments are currently prepared. Launch of the MMX mission is planned for 2026.

The Rover is a contribution by the Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES) and the German
Aerospace Center (DLR) with additional contributions from INTA and Univ. Valladolid (Spain) and U. Tokyo and JAXA.

Abstract document

IAC-24,A3,4A,5,x82730.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-24,A3,4A,5,x82730.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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