(JAXA)
Japanese scientists working on a new space mission called MMX (Martian Moons eXploration)
MMX will explore the satellites of Mars Phobos and Deimos, ad has expanded its scientific program with astrobiological research.
The device will try to find the remnants of dead microorganisms in the Phobos regolith, including DNA fragments that could have got there along with the Mars regolith ejected during the collision of the planet with asteroids.
The nature of the satellites of Mars Phobos and Deimos is still the subject of controversy among planetary scientists.
According to one theory, these are the main belt asteroids captured by the gravity of Mars.
According to the other, the satellites were formed during the collision of Mars with a dwarf planet or a giant asteroid, which led to the release of a large amount of matter into orbit around the planet.
Future interplanetary missions should help to figure out which of the theories is correct and to study the properties of satellites in more detail, since there is very little current data.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is developing the device, which have 11 scientific instruments such as spectrometers, radiometer, lidar, cameras and a dust analyzer.
Several instruments, including a small rover, will be supplied by foreign partner agencies: NASA, ESA, CNES and DLR.
MMX will be able to obtain more than ten grams of Phobos soil for delivery to Earth
The spacecraft will also determine the physical properties of the Martian satellites, their internal structure and the composition of the regolith.
Ryuki Hyodo and Tomohiro Usui from JAXA have published a description of the scientific challenges for MMX in Science.
Since Mars has been heavily bombarded by asteroids in the past, more than 109 kilograms of Martian soil may be contained in Phobos' regolith.
At the same time, even if the Martian life forms existed and could survive the transportation to Phobos, then the absence of atmosphere and water, as well as solar and cosmic radiation, would have destroyed any microorganisms.
However, according to scientists, biomarkers of the SHIGAI class (Sterilized and Harshly Irradiated Genes, and Ancient Imprints), the remains of dead microorganisms, including DNA fragments, may still remain on Phobos.
Thus, the study of soil from Phobos will make it possible to understand whether the process of transferring organisms from one celestial body to another and can their traces persist for a long time.
MMX is expected to go into space in 2024 and reach Mars in 2025.
The spacecraft will operate in a quasi-stationary orbit around Phobos, and will also fly over Deimos several times.
In 2028, the return module with a capsule, where soil samples of Phobos will be placed, will head to Earth, scientists are expected to receive the soil in 2029.
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