Japan's Martian Moons Exploration (MMX) spacecraft, propelled by the H3 rocket, successfully launched from Tanegashima island. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (Jaxa) confirmed the launch, which occurred before dawn.
The mission is designed to collect samples from Phobos, one of Mars's two small moons. Scientists hope these samples will provide insights into the origins of the solar system and the emergence of life on Earth.
The spacecraft is anticipated to reach Mars's orbit in August next year. It plans to collect at least 10g of soil and rock from Phobos's surface and is scheduled to return to Earth in 2031.
This mission marks the first attempt to land on Phobos or Deimos, Mars's smaller moon. Five space agencies are collaborating on the five-year mission, which involves a robotic prospector and a rover named Idefix.