Japan Launches Probe for World's First Sample-Return Mission from Martian Moon

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) said Tuesday it had successfully launched a spacecraft, opening the world's first mission to collect samples — including rock and sand — from one of Mars' moons.

According to JAXA, the launch was a success, marking a major step in efforts to bring material from a Martian moon back to Earth for study. The mission is regarded as a pioneering endeavor with no precedent anywhere in the world.

Collecting and analyzing rock and soil samples from a Martian moon is expected to yield additional scientific data on the origins of Mars and its moons and on how they formed.

JAXA's initial announcement did not provide full details on the mission's timeline or the expected date for returning the samples to Earth.