Nasa explorer takes off for space in search of gravel from unexplored asteroid

Nasa has launched a potentially ground-breaking mission, as an unmanned spacecraft took off from Florida's Cape Canaveral.

The first Nasa explorer of its kind has taken off on a seven-year quest, chasing after a big, black, unexplored asteroid to gather a few handfuls of gravel and bring them back to Earth.

It is heading to collect dust and gravel from the surface of an asteroid, bringing samples back in a couple of years.