The Raman Spectrometer RAX on the MMX IDEFIX Rover for in-situ Mineralogical Analysis on Phobos

• DOI: 10.5194/epsc2024-988
• Publication Date: 2024-07-03T11:09:04Z
• Authors: Susanne Schröder; Ute Böttger; Yuichiro Cho; Heinz-Wilhelm Hübers; Olga Prieto-Balle...; Fernando Rull; Maximilan Buder; Yuri Bunduki; Enrico Dietz; Till Hagelschuer; Emanuel Kopp; Andoni Moral Inza; Martin Pertenais; Kristin Rammelkamp; Conor Ryan; Thomas Säuberlich; Friedrich Schrandt; Stephan Ulamec; Tomohiro Usui; Iris Weber
• Keywords: MMX

A compact Raman spectrometer [1] was developed for in-situ science on Phobos with the IDEFIX rover [2], which will be launched as part of JAXA’s Martian Moon eXploration (MMX) mission in 2026. The MMX is dedicated to study two moons, and Deimos, aim better understanding their origin evolution [3, 4]. Orbital observations main spacecraft rover complemented by returning samples (>10 g) from surface back Earth. expected land between late 2028 early 2029, conjunction rehearsal first landing spacecraft.Figure 1. left: RAX flight model (FM) during thermal vacuum testing at DLR. Right: development (DM) combined locomotion test demonstration DLR testbed a measurement.The RAman (RAX) contributes directly high level objectives characterizing mineral composition in-situ, providing ground truth. While different phases can associated formation scenarios (e.g. captured asteroid or major impact) alteration processes Phobos, mineralogical information obtained also help inform decisions about sampling compared data returned Mars. rover's mobility allows measurements taken multiple positions along traverse, allowing local variations studied. measures down below rover. extremely compact, mass only 1.5 kg volume 1 dm³. optical design driven 1) tight constraints available small 2) optimizing collection detection capabilities signal sample several centimeters distance rover’s body. excitation (λ = 532 nm, typical power 20 mW) provided separate laser module based Laser Spectrometer (RLS) Rosalind Franklin ExoMars [5]. emission transmitted Module via multimode fiber core diameter 50 µm. To focus rover, equipped an opto-mechanical autofocus subsystem. It fine-tuning position working 8 cm, within range 13 mm accuracy instrument covers spectral 535 680 nm, corresponding shift approximately 90 4000 cm−1 therefore enabling identification water-bearing minerals. resolution across entire 10 cm−1. demonstrate functionality after launch monitor its performance, Verification Target (VT) payload. VT pellet made deuterated polyethylene terephthalate (PET) space-qualified specifically this [6]. placed field view measured cruise until separates Phobos.For measurement system needed height adjustment: gradually lower body range. After autofocusing, measure what exposed beneath footprint Visual context cameras. improved acquisition, collected nights.Representing collaborative effort, joint contribution German Aerospace Center (DLR), Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aerospacial (INTA), JAXA. Delivered Rover August 2022, successfully integrated into October 2022. has been delivered JAXA/MELCO where it currently being further qualification functional testing. Operational sequences, e.g. defining interaction instruments, are prepared. scientific prepared laboratory studies using model. AcknowledgementsMMX JAXA contributions NASA, CNES DLR-OS, INTA/UVa, JAXA/UTo. authors thank respective national funding frameworks including DLR’s Programmatik Raumfahrt PID2022-142490OB-C31 funded MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 grateful MMX, teams who work possible.References[1] T. Hagelschuer, U. Böttger, M. Buder et al., Internat. Astronautical Congress (IAC): 18-22 September, Proceed. 2022, IAC-22-A3.4A.8.  [2] S. Ulamec, P. Michel, Grott Acta Astronaut. 2023, 210, 95.[3] Usui, K. Bajo, W. Fujiya Space Sci. Rev. 2020, 216, 49.[4] Y. Kawakatsu, Kuramoto, Usui 202, 715.[5] F. Rull, Maurice, I. Hutchinson Astrobiology 2017, 17, 627.[6] A. G. Moral, J. Mora, O. Prieto-Ballesteros Spectrosc. 54, 1268.