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The Japanese MMX sample return mission to Phobos by JAXA will carry a rover developed by CNES and DLR that will be deployed on Phobos to perform in situ analysis of the Martian moon’s surface properties. Past images of the surface of Phobos show that it is covered by a layer of regolith. However, the mechanical and compositional properties of this regolith are poorly constrained. In particular, from current remote images, very little is known regarding the particle sizes, their chemical composition, the packing density of the regolith as well as other parameters such as friction and cohesion that influence surface dynamics. Understanding the properties and dynamics of the regolith in the low-gravity environment of Phobos is important to trace back its history and surface evolution. Moreover, this information is also important to support the interpretation of data obtained by instruments onboard the main MMX spacecraft, and to minimize the risks involved in the spacecraft sampling operations. The instruments onboard the Rover are a Raman spectrometer (RAX), an infrared radiometer (miniRad), two forward-looking cameras for navigation and science purposes (NavCams), and two cameras observing the interactions of regolith and the rover wheels (WheelCams). The Rover will be deployed before the MMX spacecraft samples Phobos’ surface and will be the first rover to drive on the surface of a Martian moon and in a very low gravity environment.Graphic Abstract

International audience; With the approach of next generation supersonic transport entry into service, new research activities were initiated to support updates on ICAO regulations and certification processes for supersonic transport vehicles. Within this context, the EU Horizon 2020 SENECA project has been launched to investigate the levels of noise and gaseous emissions in the vicinity of airports as well as the global climate impact of next generation supersonic civil aircraft. This paper introduces some of the preliminary outcomes of this investigation. It presents the preliminary design and performance analysis of a Mach 1.6 business jet, following an integrated aircraft-engine design approach. The preliminary design was performed accounting for the limitations posed by future environmental restrictions on respective subsonic vehicles. The market space and mission route definition exercise assumed only "over-sea" supersonic operations, while for "over-land", only subsonic operations where allowed. Parametric studies on engine integrated design demonstrated modest core temperatures while cruising and the significant impact of engine installation on performance. At this first design iteration, assuming current state of the art technology, the Mach 1.6 business jet showed good potential to satisfy the predicted mission requirements while respecting the environmental constraints in terms of Landing & Take-Off (LTO) noise and emissions.; Avec la mise en service prochaine d’avions de transport supersoniques de nouvelle génération, de nouvelles activités de recherches ont été démarrées pour aider à la mise à jour des procédures de régulation et de certification de l’OACI pour les avions de transport supersoniques. Dans ce contexte, le projet européen Horizon 2020 SENECA a été lancé pour étudier les niveaux ce bruit et les émissions de polluants à proximité des aéroports, ainsi que l’impact global sur le climat des avions supersoniques civils de nouvelle génération. Ce papier illustre certains résultats préliminaires de cette étude. Il présente la conception préliminaire et l’analyse de performances d’un avion d’affaire supersonique à Mach 1.6, selon une approche intégrée de conception avion-moteur. La conception préliminaire a été réalisée en prenant en compte les limitations posées par les futures restrictions environnementales sur les aéronefs subsoniques. L’exercice de définition de l’espace de marché et de la mission considère le vol supersonique uniquement au-dessus des océans, tandis que le vol reste subsonique au-dessus des terres. Des études paramétriques sur des concepts avec moteur ont démontré une température interne modeste pendant le vol de croisière et l’impact significatif de l’installation du moteur sur les performances. Pour cette première itération, en considérant l’état de l’art actuel des technologies, l’avion d’affaire à Mach 1.6 montre un bon potentiel pour satisfaire les exigences attendues de la mission tout en respectant les contraintes environnementales en terme de bruit au décollage et à l’atterrissage (bruit LTO) et les émissions.

The Committee on Space Research’s (COSPAR) Planetary Protection Policy (herein referred to as the Policy) has been developed through deliberation between the scientific community and the national space agencies to 1) ensure that scientific investigations of possible extra-terrestrial life forms, precursors, and remnants are not jeopardized; and 2) Earth is protected from the potential hazard posed by extra-terrestrial matter carried by a spacecraft returning from an interplanetary mission (COSPAR 2020).The COSPAR Panel on Planetary Protection (herein referred to as the Panel)regularly updates the Policy based on workshops and activities that are led by the community, or by national committees. For example, the requirements for the icy moons of the outer Solar System have been scrutinized as part of a European Commission’s H2020 Programme (Rettberg et al 2019) and a National Research Council report (NRC 2012), which led to recommendations being made to COSPAR, which resulted in an update to the regulations (COSPAR 2020). Another example is the recent update of the regulations relating to the moon. The Panel conducted a dedicated community consultation that led to an updated Policy (COSPAR, 2021). The Policy relating to Mars has received increased attention over recent years as missions to Mars are being more attainable. The number of missions and nations involved have grown significantly since 2003, and commercial missions from the private sector are becoming more plausible (Liu et al 2022). The Policy regulations have evolved over the decades, as our understanding of the planet has evolved. All missions to Mars have been divided into two categories: III, for orbiters and flybys and IV, for landers or probes, with the appropriate planetary protection requirements; whilst Mars return missions are designated as category V (restricted Mars return). Due to recent reports published regarding the Mars planetary protection, e.g., Spry et al 2021; NAS, 2021, the Panel has taken this as an opportunity to reevaluate scientific data pertaining to the subject of bioburden requirements on Mars and the implications that this has on the Policy and requirements. They focused on three key areas: 1) Biocidal effects of the martian environment; 2) stability of water and 3) transport of spacecraft bioburden. These areas were discussed in the context of survival of dormant and actively growing cells (Rummel et al 2014). Although harmful contamination is most likely to occur due to proliferation, dormant cells are also important as they can be transported to a potential habitable environment e.g., Special Regions (Rettberg et al 2016). We contend that at present there is neither sufficient new evidence in the literature nor scientific community consensus to conclude that the bioburden recommendation for Mars needs to be changed at this point. However, the situation may change in the future with the examination of new data by the Panel. To date, several knowledge gaps that require new targeted research have been identified: Understanding the biocidal effects of Mars surface conditions. Measuring the effect of the atmosphere and dust storms of the kinetics of microbial survival (Spry et al 2021). Measuring the rate of dust accumulation and the impact this has on microbial survival kinetics. Metrological investigations to develop, test and validate contamination transport models (Spry et al 2021). High resolution of the absolute water vapour content, temperature, and wind speed (Rivera-Valentin et al 2021). Understanding the thermodynamics of salt facilitated water vapour (Rivera-Valentin et al 2021). Mars simulation experiments to quantify the metabolic and reproduction rates of terrestrial organisms with ephemeral wetting events with and without salts. We therefore suggest additional international community engagement to further refine this list of knowledge gaps. References: COSPAR (2020) Sp Res Tod. 208, 10-22. COSPAR (2021) Sp Res Tod. 211, 9-11. Fisk L., et al (2021) Sp Res Tod. 211, 9-25. Liu J., et al (2022)Intern J Transp Sci technol. 11, 1-16. Rettberg P., et al (2016) Astrobiol. 16(2), 119-125. Rettberg P., et al (2019) Astrobiol. 19(8), 951-974. Rivera-Valentín E., et al (2021) Bulletin of the AAS. 53(4). Spry J., et al (2021) Bulletin of the AAS. 53(4), 205. NAS (2021) Report Series: Committee on Planetary Protection: Evaluation of Bioburden Requirements for Mars Missions. Rummel J., et al (2014) Astrobiol. 887-968.