Today NASA has launched an unmanned version of it’s new deep space exploration capsule ‘Orion’ from a launch pad at the Kennedy Space Centre, Florida.
The launch marks the beginnings of deep space exploration that hasn’t been seen since the 60’s. Orion is being tested on this flight however it is hoped that the capsule will eventually take humans beyond the space station to the Moon again and even further to Mars.
NASA will be testing Orion on its short test flight for critical components such as its heat shield and parachutes. These will be tested by the rocket being propelled 6,000 km up into the air at speeds of Mach 1 (918 miles per hour) and then set up to re-enter earths atmosphere at high velocity. The capsule is expected to touch down in the Pacific off the coast of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula at about 16:30 GMT.
For now though – just check out the video of the launch. It truly is breathtaking.
Image via blogs.nasa.gov
