Universität zu Köln

Pätzold, Martin ORCID: 0000-0003-3479-856X, Andert, Tom P., Cardesín-Moinelo, Alejandro, Cicchetti, Andrea, Duxbury, Thomas, Futaana, Yoshifumi, Godfrey, James, Hegler, Sebastian, Hu, Xuanyu, Lainey, Valéry, Matz, Klaus-Dieter, Oberst, Jürgen, Orosei, Roberto, Plettemeier, Dirk, Rosenblatt, Pascal, Stark, Alexander, Willner, Konrad, Witasse, Olivier and Ziese, Ramona (2025). Investigations of the Moon Phobos by Mars Express and Implications Towards Its Origin. Space Science Reviews, 221 (4). pp. 1-30. Springer Nature. ISSN 0038-6308

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Abstract

[Artikel-Nr.: 41] Mars Express has opened a new chapter in the exploration of Phobos, thanks to its elliptical orbit that allows for regular flybys, sometimes as close as 50 km. Initially designed for studying Mars’ surface and atmosphere, its instruments have provided a wealth of data, including precise geophysical bulk parameters, insights into Phobos’ interior, high-resolution images, remote sensing data of its surface, and observations of interactions between Phobos and the space environment. This resurgence of interest in the Martian moons revolves around the fundamental question of how they formed. Despite the abundance of data gathered by Mars Express, Phobos’ surface composition remains uncertain with many unresolved questions. This ambiguity prevents a definitive confirmation or refutation of the asteroid capture scenario, which likens Phobos to a D-type asteroid. This scenario contradicts the current orbits of the moons and poses other dynamical challenges. However, an alternative hypothesis suggests that Phobos and Deimos formed through the accretion of a rocky debris disk in Mars’ orbit. Their refined shapes, low mass, and bulk density support this idea. The non-detection of MARSIS echoes implies a porous interior, aligning with the low bulk density, indicative of high porosity. The next phase of Phobos exploration will be led by JAXA’s Mars Moon eXplorer (MMX) mission, set to quasi-orbit Phobos, land on its surface, and return a sample to Earth in 2029.

Item Type:	Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Pätzold, Martin UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3479-856X UNSPECIFIED Andert, Tom P. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Cardesín-Moinelo, Alejandro UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Cicchetti, Andrea UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Duxbury, Thomas UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Futaana, Yoshifumi UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Godfrey, James UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Hegler, Sebastian UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Hu, Xuanyu UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Lainey, Valéry UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Matz, Klaus-Dieter UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Oberst, Jürgen UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Orosei, Roberto UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Plettemeier, Dirk UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Rosenblatt, Pascal UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Stark, Alexander UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Willner, Konrad UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Witasse, Olivier UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Ziese, Ramona UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-809672
Identification Number:	10.1007/s11214-025-01165-7
Journal or Publication Title:	Space Science Reviews
Volume:	221
Number:	4
Page Range:	pp. 1-30
Number of Pages:	30
Date:	23 April 2025
Publisher:	Springer Nature
ISSN:	0038-6308
Language:	English
Faculty:	External institution
Divisions:	Externe Einrichtungen > An-Institute > Associated Institutes of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences > Rhenish Institute for Environmental Research - RIU
Subjects:	Physics
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language Mars Express ; Mars ; Phobos English
['eprint_fieldname_oa_funders' not defined]:	Publikationsfonds UzK
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/80967