2014 – Page 9 – Spaceflight Now

Photos: Orion launches at dawn

December 5, 2014 Justin Ray

The United Launch Alliance Delta 4-Heavy rocket lifts off with NASA’s Orion spacecraft on its inaugural space flight test at 7:05 a.m. EST Dec. 5 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station’s Complex 37.

Video: Orion EFT-1 test flight ends with a splashdown in the Pacific

December 5, 2014 Spaceflight Now

The splashdown of Orion in the Pacific Ocean concludes the EFT-1 shakedown cruise for NASA’s new space capsule.

Video: Onboard camera captures Orion capsule return to Earth

December 5, 2014 Spaceflight Now

A camera mounted aboard the Orion capsule for the EFT-1 test flight records the space capsules plunge toward the Pacific Ocean and its splashdown beneath three parachutes.

Delta 4-Heavy blasts off with Orion capsule

December 5, 2014 Justin Ray

NASA’s inaugural Orion spaceship has set sail on a two-orbit, four-hour shakedown cruise around the Earth, leaving port atop a United Launch Alliance Delta 4-Heavy rocket and its incandescent power at 7:05 a.m. EST on Dec. 5.

Video: Delta 4-Heavy tower rollback

December 4, 2014 Justin Ray

The mobile service tower is retracted from the Delta 4-Heavy rocket and Orion spacecraft for Exploration Flight Test 1.

John Grunsfeld speaks about Orion’s science goals

December 4, 2014 Stephen Clark

John Grunsfeld, Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters, speaks about the EFT-1 test flight and science opportunities made possible by the Orion capsule and its Space Launch System rocket.

Photos: Gantry rolled back to reveal Orion

December 4, 2014 Justin Ray

The 330-foot tall mobile service tower has been retracted from the Delta 4-Heavy rocket at Cape Canaveral’s pad 37B for tomorrow morning’s launch that will place the Orion spacecraft on its intended trajectory.

Orion Exploration Flight Test No. 1 timeline

December 4, 2014 Spaceflight Now

The first orbital test flight of NASA’s Orion crew capsule will lift off on top of a United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket from Cape Canaveral’s Complex 37B launch pad.

ESA member states commit funding for Orion service module

December 3, 2014 Stephen Clark

As a barebones Orion spacecraft awaits its first launch from Cape Canaveral, representatives of European governments agreed to fund the development of a power and propulsion element to take the crew capsule on voyages around the moon, to an asteroid, and eventually to Mars.

NASA astronaut Rex Walheim excited about Orion test flight

December 3, 2014 Spaceflight Now

NASA astronaut Rex Walheim says the Orion EFT-1 test flight represents the opening of a new era for the space agency.