In situ observations of ions and magnetic field around Phobos: the mass spectrum analyzer (MSA) for the Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission

Shoichiro Yokota, Naoki Terada, Ayako Matsuoka, Naofumi Murata, Yoshifumi Saito, Dominique Delcourt, Yoshifumi Futaana, Kanako Seki, Micah J. Schaible, Kazushi Asamura, Satoshi Kasahara, Hiromu Nakagawa, Masaki N. Nishino, Reiko Nomura, Kunihiro Keika, Yuki Harada, Shun Imajo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The mass spectrum analyzer (MSA) will perform in situ observations of ions and magnetic fields around Phobos as part of the Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission to investigate the origin of the Martian moons and physical processes in the Martian environment. MSA consists of an ion energy mass spectrometer and two magnetometers which will measure velocity distribution functions and mass/charge distributions of low-energy ions and magnetic field vectors, respectively. For the MMX scientific objectives, MSA will observe solar wind ions, those scattered at the Phobos surface, water-related ions generated in the predicted Martian gas torus, secondary ions sputtered from Phobos, and escaping ions from the Martian atmosphere, while monitoring the surrounding magnetic field. MSA will be developed from previous instruments for space plasma missions such as Kaguya, Arase, and BepiColombo/Mio to contribute to the MMX scientific objectives. [Figure not available: see fulltext.]

Original languageEnglish
Article number216
Journalearth, planets and space
Volume73
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021 Dec

Keywords

  • Magnetometer
  • Mars
  • Martian Moons eXploration (MMX)
  • Mass spectrum analyzer
  • Phobos

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geology
  • Space and Planetary Science

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