Ah, the inherent distrust of technology. I see

Will this unnamed planet be Phobos's final resting place, or will his "rest" really be final?

Carter's words sound like he's a Judge reading a sentence, but in reality, he's just stating the facts; there's no foreseeable way to find or return to the planet.
I wonder if our intrepid author has a Spock-style reincarnation planned for dear old Phobos?

...as Santana's baby...

"Lost in time, and lost in space... and meaning."
"Mee-eeeean-ninnnng."

Too dangerous to contact. The traps left by the previous inhabitants make it so. Like old style radio magnetic mines. Even Civil War I shells have exploded over a century later.