First observations of Deimos from the Emirates eXploration Imager (EXI)

The Emirates Mars Mission (EMM) has a unique opportunity to observe the surface of Deimos, the smaller and outermost of the two moons of Mars. The origins of both Phobos and Deimos remain debated largely due to lack of available observations. The elliptical orbit of the EMM spacecraft, designed to provide comprehensive coverage of the martian atmosphere, allows for campaigns to periodically observe the moon. The slight adjustment of the orbit to move into a resonance with Deimos permits nominal science to continue. The campaign began in August of 2022 by undertaking a series of maneuvers to enable several flybys each stepping in and progressively attaining a closer distance to Deimos. Here, we will present the images collected by EXI of the targeted flyby (e.g., the flyby wherein the spacecraft achieves its closest distance to the moon). Observations for each flyby will include an initial image set at the start of the approach (red/green/blue/320 nm/260 nm), red images will be acquired at 1 min intervals during the approach, and when the spacecraft is at the closest point to Deimos a red/green/blue image set at full resolution, as well as a 320 nm image binned at 2×2 pixels, will be acquired. As the spacecraft leaves Deimos, the reverse observation strategy will be employed. These observations will help constrain the short-wavelength spectral properties and further characterize the geomorphology of this relatively understudied martian moon.