Japan to launch spacecraft on world first mission to Mars' moon

Japan is set to launch a spacecraft on the world's first mission to bring back samples from Phobos, one of the two small, potato-shaped moons orbiting Mars.

Scientists hope the mission, which is expected to take five years, will provide clues to how Phobos and its smaller sibling Deimos formed and offer insights into the history of Mars and the solar system.

Samples from Phobos will provide useful data for scientists to consider using a Martian moon as a base for a future manned mission to the planet.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's launch of the spacecraft Tuesday on a new Japanese mainstay H-3 rocket comes as the United States, China and others consider sending astronauts to Mars.