[eartharxiv.org] The Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission will return ≥ 10 g of Phobos regolith containing a small fraction of Mars-derived impact ejecta (Ramsley and Head, 2013; Chappaz et al., […]
Phobos
Posted inAstrogeology
SwRI Study Found Primordial Mini-moons May Explain Meteorite Composition
[SwRI] A new Southwest Research Institute-led study proposes a solution to a long-standing puzzle in planetary science — what caused the concentration, assembly and preservation of millimeter-sized, spherical mineral grains […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Missions & Hardware, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Sample Return, Status Report
Asteroid Sample Return Missions Are Critical For Understanding Our Solar System
Studying asteroids addresses a number of unknowns in planetary science. Investigating them makes use of asteroidal meteorites, remote observations and space-based missions.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Comets and Asteroids, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Phobos, Press Release, Sample Return
Phobos Photometric Properties From Mars Express HRSC Observations (Comet Capture?)
This study aims to analyze Phobos’ photometric properties using Mars Express mission observations to support the Martian Moons eXploration mission.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Comets and Asteroids, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mars, Meteorites & Asteroids, Phobos, Status Report
Spectro-photometry of Phobos simulants: I. Detectability of Hydrated Minerals and Organic Bands
Previous observations of Phobos and Deimos, the moons of Mars, have improved our understanding of these small bodies. However, their formation and composition remain poorly constrained.
Posted inAstrogeology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Deimos, Mars, Microbiology & Virology, Missions & Hardware, Phobos, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Sample Return
Microbial Contamination: Sample Return From Mars Moons: The Fate of Microbes on Martian Moons
This paper presents a case study of microbe transportation in the Mars-satellites system. We examined the spatial distribution of potential impact-transported microbes on the Martian moons using impact physics by […]
Posted inDeimos, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Phobos, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Sample Return
Planetary Protection Classification of Sample-Return Missions from the Martian Moons
This report reviews recent theoretical, experimental, and modeling research on the environments and physical conditions encountered by Mars ejecta during certain processes. It recommends whether missions returning samples from Phobos […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs
Viking 1 Examines Martian Soil
Operations have begun at the Viking landing site to dig foot-deep trench in the Martian soil and distribute samples to three instruments.