Japan launches the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nozomi_(spacecraft)" id="mwAdU" rel="mw:WikiLink" title="Nozomi (spacecraft)">Nozomi</a> probe to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars" id="mwAdY" rel="mw:WikiLink" title="Mars">Mars</a>, joining the United States and Russia as a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outer_space" id="mwAdc" rel="mw:WikiLink" title="Outer space">space</a> exploring nation.