Orion – NASA’s Next-Gen Spacecraft is About Fly

In just under one month NASA’s next generation space vehicle will fly on her maiden test voyage.

Check out the “Trial by Fire” video that explains the Orion spacecraft’s first test mission – Exploration Flight Test 1 or EFT-1. This launch is scheduled for 4 December 2014 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

This flight will be the first one to send a human-rated spaceflight vehicle beyond low Earth orbit in over forty years! Many people (including myself) have never seen a spacecraft designed to carry humans leave our own “backyard” of 250 miles above our planet. It’s an exciting time!

In order to share the experience with as many people as possible NASA has invited 150 of their social media followers to cover the event live. I am one of the lucky ones to be able to share it with the world via Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and a number of other outlets. We hope to make it feel like you’re there as well.

Keep your eyes on these places to experience the excitement:

I’d like to thank NASA for this incredible opportunity to witness history and I’d like you to come along with us for the ride.

(Graphics courtesy of Aimee Crane of NASA)