Watch Japan launch a bold sample-return mission to Mars moon Phobos today

Today, October 19th, marks the ambitious launch of Japan’s MMX mission destined for Mars' moon Phobos. The spacecraft is undertaking a daring sample-return operation, aiming to collect material from the Martian satellite. This groundbreaking endeavor represents Japan’s first attempt at retrieving samples from another planet. Live coverage of the launch event will be available for global audiences to observe this significant milestone in space exploration. Scientists anticipate that the returned materials could provide crucial insights into the formation of our solar system.