Editor's note: Japan launched its bold MMX sample-return mission to the Mars moon Phobos on Oct. 19) at 3:41 p.m. EDT (1941 GMT).

Watch a replay of the liftoff and read our launch story here.

Launch live streaming of Martian Moons eXploration (MMX)/H3 Launch Vehicle flight No.10(English) - YouTube

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Japan will launch an epic mission to Mars today (Oct. 19), and you can watch the action live.

The Martian Moons eXploration ( MMX ) mission is scheduled to lift off atop an H3 rocket from Japan's Tanegashima Space Center today at 3:41 p.m. EDT (1941 GMT; 4:41 a.m. on Oct. 20 local Japan time).

You can watch it live via the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Coverage will begin at 2:45 p.m. EDT (1845 GMT).

An artist’s concept of JAXA’s MMX spacecraft during its Mars orbit insertion. The Martian moon Phobos, which MMX will explore and sample, is in the background. (Image credit: JAXA)

As its full name suggests, MMX will focus on Mars ' two moons, Phobos and Deimos .…