The Mars system revealed by the Martian Moons eXploration mission

Abstract Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) plans a Phobos sample return mission (MMX: Martian Moons eXploration). In this study, we review the related works on past climate of Mars, its evolution, and present weather to describe scientific goals strategies MMX regarding evolution surface environment. The spacecraft will retrieve regolith back Earth in 2029. Mars ejecta are expected be accumulated without being much shocked. Samples from probably contain all types rock sedimentary igneous covering geological eras if could surface. Therefore, history environment can restored by analyzing returned samples. Remote sensing atmosphere monitoring ions escaping space while is orbiting equatorial orbit also planned. camera with multi-wavelength filters infrared spectrometer onboard monitor rapid transport processes water vapor, dust, ice clouds, other species, which not traced previous satellites sun-synchronous polar orbit. Such time-resolved pictures atmospheric phenomena should an important clue understand both exchange between surface/underground reservoirs drivers efficient material upper atmosphere. mass unprecedented resolution observe escape has made evolve towards cold dry know today. Together above two instruments, it potentially reveal what kinds events tracers (e.g., H 2 O) upward enhance escape. Graphical