MMX Planetary Protection Plan
Abstract
Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) is a sample-return mission from the Martian moon proposed by JAXA, that is currently under Phase-B study. The spacecraft is planned to be launched in 2020s by an H3 rocket and transferred to Mars. After Mars orbit insertion, it will be located on the quasi-satellite orbit (QSO) of one of the Martian Moons. During the proximity operation phase, the spacecraft will perform remote-sensing observation of Martian Moons and Mars from the QSO, descent and landing on a Martian Moon and collecting of samples. After 3-year stay in the Martian system, the spacecraft will be inserted into the escape orbit from Mars and go back to the Earth. The capsule including samples will be separated and re-enter the Earth atmosphere. The MMX mission is designated Category III for Mars, Category II for Phobos or Deimos, and Category V Unrestricted Earth Return for Earth, which was authorized by the COSPAR Planetary Protection Panel in January 2019. The project basically plans to comply with the planetary protection policy by impact probability analysis without bioburden control. The planetary protection requirement for MMX was approved by JAXA in March 2019, and the review for the planetary protection plan is scheduled in March 2020. In this presentation, the overview of the MMX mission, its planetary protection requirements and plan, and preliminary implementation plan will be reported.
- Publication:
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43rd COSPAR Scientific Assembly. Held 28 January - 4 February
- Pub Date:
- January 2021
- Bibcode:
- 2021cosp...43E2250O