The first flight test of Orion, NASAs next-generation spacecraft that will send astronauts to an asteroid and onward to Mars, is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 4. NASA will host a series of news conferences and flight test commentary on NASA Television, as well as media events at the agencys Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Orion will launch, uncrewed, on a United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket at 7:05 a.m. EST from Space Launch Complex 37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) in Florida. The window for launch is two hours 39 minutes.

NASA TV launch commentary of the flight, designated Exploration Flight Test-1, begins at 4:30 a.m. and will continue through splashdown in the Pacific Ocean approximately 600 miles southwest of San Diego.

During its 4.5 hour trip, Orion will orbit Earth twice and travel to an altitude of 3,600 miles into space. The flight is designed to test many of the elements that pose the greatest risk to astronauts and will provide critical data needed to improve Orions design and reduce risks to future mission crews.

Media events for the flight begin two days before launch.

Tuesday, Dec. 2

Wednesday, Dec. 3

A post-flight test briefing on NASA TV also will be held approximately two hours after splashdown on Dec. 4.

Media events will take place at Kennedy and CCAFS. The deadlines for media to register to attend in person have passed. All registered media must present two forms of legal, government-issued identification to access Kennedy for launch events. One form must be a photo ID, such as a passport or driver's license. Media credentials will be accepted for access to mission activities at Kennedy. For more information about media accreditation, contact Jennifer Horner at 321-867-6598.

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NASA Sets Prelaunch Activities, Television Coverage for Orion Flight Test