Oberpfaffenhofen (dpa) – “Idefix”, the Franco-German rover built to explore the Martian moon Phobos, is embarking on its first lengthy trip: it is being transported to Japan, where it is to be incorporated in the mission “Martian Moons Exploration” (MMX). MMX is scheduled for launch in 2026, with the landing on Phobos expected to take place in two years’ time. In the Asterix comics, Idefix is the little dog that is a companion to Obelix.
One of the aims of Japan’s space agency Jaxa in undertaking its mission to Phobos and Deimos is to contribute to unravelling the mystery surrounding the formation of these Martian moons. “Idefix” is set to undertake the first landing on Phobos in the history of space travel – this in itself poses an immense challenge, according to the German Aerospace Center (DLR). Weighing just 25 kilograms, the rover was designed and built under the joint direction of the DLR and the French space agency CNES.