2010/05/01 by T. P. Andert, P. Rosenblatt, M. Pätzold +4 · 2 citations
Physics and Astronomy · #Planetary Science and Exploration #Astro and Planetary Science #Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life
paper · pdf · doi:10.1029/2009gl041829
openalex publication_date 2010/05/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/22
We report independent results from two subgroups of the Mars Express Radio Science (MaRS) team who independently analyzed Mars Express (MEX) radio tracking data for the purpose of determining consistently the gravitational attraction of the moon Phobos on the MEX spacecraft, and hence the mass of Phobos. New values for the gravitational parameter (GM = 0.7127 ± 0.0021 × 10 −3 km 3 /s 2 ) and density of Phobos (1876 ± 20 kg/m 3 ) provide meaningful new constraints on the corresponding range of the body's porosity (30% ± 5%), provide a basis for improved interpretation of the internal structure. We conclude that the interior of Phobos likely contains large voids. When applied to various hypotheses bearing on the origin of Phobos, these results are inconsistent with the proposition that Phobos is a captured asteroid.