Japan's MMX mission launches successfully, gains edge over China in race for first Mars system sample return

T2Covered by 1 source · first reported by JP/KR/TW: Korea Herald / Taipei Times / DigiTimes at 20 Oct, 09:05 UTC

Japan has successfully launched a spacecraft bound for the moons of Mars, gaining an early advantage over China in the international race to become the first country to return samples from Mars or its satellites.