France, Oct. 20 -- Japan's next space adventure has a small, potato-shaped destination - and ambitions that reach far beyond its size.

The Japanese space agency JAXA on Tuesday successfully launched its Martian Moons eXploration mission, or MMX, from the Tanegashima Space Centre aboard an H3 rocket.

JAXA had allowed for further launch attempts until 9 November if necessary. Missing this opportunity could mean waiting roughly another two years for a favourable alignment of Earth and Mars.

The spacecraft is expected to reach the Martian system in 2027 and spend around three years investigating Phobos and Deimos, before returning samples from the larger moon to Earth in 2031.

France and Germany are contributing a small rover, while a Fre...