Elizabeth Tasker

@elizabethtasker.bsky.social

UK astrophysicist and science communicator working at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Author of 'The Planet Factory' and editor of ‘Planetary Diversity’. Very into space, virtual reality, computer graphics and rescue cats.

@showmethepotato.bsky.socialReposted by @elizabethtasker.bsky.social

MMX aims to bring at least 10 g of Phobos back to Earth, gathered with two samplers onboard the spacecraft. C-SMP will 'core' out a sample from 2 cm below the surface, while P-SMP (pneumatic) will collect material using a small whirlwind of nitrogen gas.

@showmethepotato.bsky.socialReposted by @elizabethtasker.bsky.social

🥔 Potato incoming!

MMX (Martian Moons eXploration) is a JAXA-led sample return mission to Phobos, the larger of Mars's two moons. The spacecraft aims to explore Phobos from orbit, land on the moon, scoop up a sample, and bring it back to Earth. 🕸️

mmx.jaxa.jp/en

@rami.spaceaustralia.comReposted by @elizabethtasker.bsky.social

It appears my astro-arch-nemesis, Phobos (along with accompying potato rock, Deimos) now has a voice on the website known as The BlueSky.

Follow @showmethepotato.bsky.social if you want to also have a love/hate relationship with these cursed Moons of Mars!

Upcoming JAXA mission to them in a week!

@elizabethtasker.bsky.social

10 DAYS UNTIL THE LAUNCH OF THE JAXA MARTIAN MOONS EXPLORATION (#MMX) MISSION! 🚀🛰️ It's a place of evil, but the MMX account has been posting these cute countdown videos every day on twitter (and also instagram and threads, for a different brand of evil). The model in the background is Hayabusa2!

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