Japan's MMX mission aims to answer a question about Mars and its two moons. Where did these small moons come from? The spacecraft will study Phobos and Deimos, then collect material from Phobos. NASA described its support for the project on October 15. It is providing scientific equipment and help with communication and navigation.
One NASA device uses gas to lift material from the surface. Another studies what the moon is made of. The plan is to reach Mars in 2027 and return samples to Earth in 2031. Scientists hope the material will reveal the moons' history. The moons may be captured space rocks or material from an ancient crash involving Mars.