. if you're a space nerd like me, get close to the tv, you're going to want to see this. this is a japanese space proeb blasting off, launched from japan on wednesday. and if all goes according to plan it will land on an asteroid called 1999 ju 3. its mission is to draw samples from the asteroid that can contain clues about life. previously stuff that was science fiction. well, hours from now it will make its way into orbit and circle its way twice. it will make discoveries that could take people further into space. >> reporter: we could soon be a small step closer to humans landing on mars. this, orion, nasa's first deep space capsule since the '70s. why is this a great time to do