Overview
The Australian Space Agency (ASA) is seeking information from the Australian research sector on scientific and technical capabilities that could support a science collaboration with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) on their uncrewed Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission.
The MMX mission will travel to Mars with the following science and engineering goals:
explore the origins of the Martian moons Phobos and Deimos
learn about the evolutionary history of the Martian system
explore the creation of habitable environments where life could begin
set up the technology needed for the return trip between the Earth and Mars
land and create advanced sampling techniques on celestial bodies
establish communication technologies using a newly developed ground station.
The mission also aims to collect scientific data and gather a sample from the surface of Phobos. After observation and sample collection, the MMX spacecraft will return to Earth in Australia carrying the material from Phobos.
We welcome information from universities and research groups that highlights how their scientific and technical expertise can contribute to the MMX mission. Information on any current collaboration with JAXA on MMX is also welcome.