Mars Express: The Exploration of Phobos

摘要

The origin, structure and composition of Phobos are essentially still unresolved issue, with major outcomes for understanding the origin and evolution of the Solar system, and of the Mars system. Several missions have been designed with this unique body the only target. Is Phobos a captured small body (and in this case, can we identify the degree of differentiation such a small object has undergone ), or is there any co-generic process with Mars involved Are there still volatile species trapped, and if so where, and in what form What are the reciprocal contributions of Mars and Phobos material accreted in the other body The number of key clues for deciphering the early solar system processes, the Mars-Phobos binary evolution, and the role Phobos could play in the future of Mars exploration (including human expeditions), are numerous, and exciting for a large community. Part of the answers are in the high resolution coverage of this object (optical and IR, for composition variation), and in its full spectral analysis, from UV to thermal IR : Mars Express is the unique mission to provide this opportunity, and orbit 756, August 22, a totally unique opportunity to approach Phobos so closely. OMEGA should provide all across Stickney, the deepest accessible material, and over more than 20 km along, a spatial resolution less than 200 m, and assess the composition (and possibly their variations) wrt silicates (mafic materials), oxides, and eventually hydrated minerals and organics. By no means we should miss this opportunity: no one would understand the rationale not to turn the instruments ON while so close, and pointing them towards the Phobos surface.