For the exploration of the martian moons Phobos and Deimos – the European MMX landing vehicle IDEFIX
MMX (Martian Moons eXploration) is a mission of the Japanese space agency JAXA with contributions from NASA, ESA, the French space agency CNES and the German Aerospace Center (DLR). CNES and DLR are jointly contributing the 25-kilogram IDEFIX rover. The Franco-German MMX landing vehicle is being designed and built under the joint leadership of the two partners.
In particular, DLR is responsible for the development of the rover landing gear, including the carbon fibre structure, as well as the entire uprighting and locomotion system. DLR is also contributing the connection and separation system to the mothercraft and is providing a Raman spectrometer and a radiometer. These will measure the composition, temperature and properties of Phobos’ surface.
CNES is making significant contributions with camera systems for spatial orientation and exploration on the surface as well as for investigating the mechanical properties of the soil. In addition, CNES is developing the rover’s central service module, including the on-board computer and the power and communication system. Following the launch of the MMX mission scheduled for 2026, the rover will be operated by CNES control centres in Toulouse, France, and DLR in Cologne, Germany.
On the DLR side, under the leadership of the Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics, the Institutes of System Dynamics and Control, Lightweight Structures, Space Systems, Optical Sensor Systems, Planetary Research, Software Technology and the Microgravity User Support Centre (MUSC) of DLR’s Space Operations and Astronaut Training are also involved.
The MMX mission follows in the tradition of many years of successful cooperation between the partners JAXA, CNES and DLR.
Links:
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics
E-Mail contact-dlr@DLR.de
