Update for Dec. 5 at 12:45 p.m. EST: NASA's Orion space capsule has passed its first test flight with flying colors after a smooth launch and even smoother splashdown. Today. See how the 4.5-hour Exploration Test Flight 1 mission unfolded here. 
 
 Full Story: Splashdown! NASA's Orion Spaceship Survives Epic Test Flight as New Era Begins 
 
 Orion has complete on its first uncrewed test flight. The history-making test, marks the first time a spacecraft built for humans will leave low-Earth orbit in more than 40 years. Launch Story / Launch Video / Orion Test Flight Photos 
 
 The Orion spacecraft — built for NASA by Lockheed Martin — is designed to take humans deeper into space than ever before. Officials hope that future versions of the spacecraft will transport astronauts to deep space destinations like Mars or an asteroid towed into orbit around the moon. Scroll down for more stories, video and photos from the launch: 
 
 The Orion Space Capsule: NASA's Next Spaceship: Photos 
 
 Photos: Step-by-Step Guide to NASA's EFT-1 Orion Spacecraft Test Flight 
 
 Orion Capsule Will Sport 'Glass Cockpit' To Minimize Weight 
 
 How NASA's 2017 Orion Capsule Deep-Space Test Works: Photos 
 
 Photos: Orion Space Capsule's Parachute Test 
 
 Photos: NASA's Orion Spacecraft Heat Shield on Display 
 
 Splashdown! NASA's Orion Spaceship Survives Epic Test Flight as New Era Begins 
 
 America has a new spaceship as NASA's Orion spacecraft passed its first unmanned test flight on Friday, Dec. 5. See how the mission unfolded from its launch in Florida to a smooth splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. 
 
 Splashdown! Orion Lands In Pacific Ocean 
 
 Orion, NASA's first space capsule since Apollo, splashes down in the Pacific Ocean after a smooth test flight on Dec. 5, 2014. 
 
 NASA Launches First Orion Deep-Space Capsule in Historic Test Flight 
 
 With a mighty roar, a Delta 4 Heavy rocket launched NASA's first Orion spacecraft on a test flight to check major systems. The unmanned launch marked the beginning of NASA's first deep-space mission with a crew vehicle since December 1972. 
 
 Blast-Off! Orion Capsule Launches Aboard Delta IV Rocket 
 
 See launch video of NASA's Orion spacecraft as it blasts off atop a Delta 4 Heavy rocket on the Exploration Flight Test 1 mission. 
 
 NASA to Make 2nd Attempt to Launch Orion Space Capsule: Watch It Live 
 
 It's Round 2 for NASA's Orion spacecraft as the space agency attempts to launch its first new space capsule in more than 40 years. Here's how to follow it online. 
 
 NASA's 1st Orion Deep-Space Capsule Launch Delayed by Rocket Glitch 
 
 Stuck fuel valves on its Delta 4 Heavy rocket prevented NASA's first Orion spacecraft from launching on the Exploration Test Flight 1 mission on Dec. 4. Here's what happened. 
 
 NASA's 1st Orion Deep-Space Capsule Launch Delayed by Rocket Glitch 
 
 The launch debut of NASA's first deep-space capsule in more than 40 years will have to wait at least another day after a series of delays thwarted repeated liftoff attempts on Thursday (Dec. 4). 
 
 NASA Admin. Takes Hard Questions from Space.com 
 
 Do Orion and SLS only exist to provide jobs on Earth? Is Orion a capability without a real mission? Could Orion fly atop a SpaceX booster?NASA Chief Maj. Gen. Charlie Bolden handles these and others with Space.com’s @DavidSkyBrody. 
 
 NASA to Launch First Orion Deep-Space Capsule Flight Today: Watch Live 
 
 The Orion spacecraft, a capsule destined to fly NASA astronauts on deep-space missions to asteroids and Mars, is counting down to a planned 7:04 a.m. EST (1104 GMT) liftoff on Thursday. Watch it live here. The Orion spacecraft, a capsule destined to fly NASA astronauts on deep-space missions to asteroids and Mars, is counting down to a planned 7:04 a.m. EST (1104 GMT) liftoff on Thursday. Watch it live here. 
 
 Final Countdown! NASA's Orion Spacecraft by the Numbers 
 
 The countdown has begun for the first test flight of NASA's Orion spacecraft. Here's our own by-the-numbers countdown for Orion. 
 
 NASA's 21st-Century Space Capsule to Make Launch Debut Thursday 
 
 Orion, NASA's new manned spacecraft, is all set to make its first uncrewed flight test on Thursday, Dec. 4. Here's the latest from NASA. 
 
 Elmo's Excited About The Orion Test Flight | Exclusive Interview 
 
 Space.com's @TariqJMalik and NASA's @Astro_Ricky talk to the furry little sesame street character about the Exploration Flight Test 1 (EFT-1) mission at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. 
 
 Drones and Planes Will Live-Track NASA's Orion Capsule Launch 
 
 NASA and the U.S. Navy plan to launch at least five other aircraft along with the Orion space capsule to monitor and record data from Thursday's mission. 
 
 Orion Spacecraft Launch on Thursday a Big Leap Toward Mars, NASA Says 
 
 The first test flight of NASA's new Orion spacecraft this week marks a critical step on humanity's journey to Mars, agency officials say. 
 
 Social Media: NASA's Not-So-Secret Weapon for Orion Test Flight 
 
 NASA's landmark Orion spacecraft test flight this week will cap one of the largest social media campaigns in the space agency's history. Here's why. 
 
 NASA's Orion Inspires the Hulk, Star Trek's Uhura and Elmo on YouTube (Videos) 
 
 When you think of NASA, you don't usually think Hollywood, but several actors — and even Muppets —have pledged their support for the Orion spacecraft test flight. 
 
 How NASA's Landmark Orion Spacecraft Test Flight Will Work 
 
 NASA's Dec. 4 test of its Orion space capsule comes with many risks and rewards. Here's how the daring test should work. 
 
 Step-by-Step Guide for NASA's 1st Orion Spacecraft Test Flight 
 
 See how NASA's Orion EFT-1 space capsule test flight will work in this step-by-step guide from the U.S. space agency. 
 
 Star Trek, Marvel and Apollo Mementos Launching on NASA's Orion This Week 
 
 NASA's first Orion spacecraft test flight will launch icons of science fiction when it blasts off on Dec. 4. What's aboard from Star Trek, Marvel and more. 
 
 Orion Capsule Will Sport 'Glass Cockpit' To Minimize Weight | Video 
 
 The 'dashboard' or user interface of NASA's next-generation capsule will have a digital display. The capsule will also have about 60 physical switches. 
 
 Weather Looks Good for NASA's Orion Spacecraft Test Flight Thursday 
 
 Officials are predicting a 60 percent chance that weather will be favorable for the Orion space capsule's first test flight scheduled for Thursday (Dec. 4). 
 
 NASA's 1st Deep-Space Capsule in 40 Years Ready for Launch Debut 
 
 A spaceship built to carry humans is about to venture into deep space for the first time in more than four decades. 
 
 NASA to Launch First Orion Spaceship Test Flight This Week 
 
 Learn how to watch many of the events leading up to the first test flight of NASA's Orion space capsule live online all week. 
 
 Sesame Street Muppets Counting Down to NASA Orion Launch 
 
 "Sesame Street's" beloved muppets have joined forces with NASA to promote the space agency's test flight of the Orion capsule on Dec. 4. 
 
 NASA Clears Orion Spacecraft for 1st Test Flight Next Week 
 
 Officials have given the Orion space capsule a "go" for its unmanned test flight expected to launch next Thursday (Dec. 4). 
 
 NASA's Orion Capsule Built To Withstand 6,000° F 
 
 Lou Ferrigno 'Hulks-Out' Over Orion Spacecraft 
 
 Original Star Trek's 'Uhura' Promos NASA's Orion Capsule 
 
 Orion Test Flight - Liftoff To Splashdown Elaborately Explained 
 
 Orion Explained: NASA's Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle: Infographic 
 
 Orion Capsule Emergency Escape System Test 
 
 NASA's New Mega-Rocket, Orion Capsule on Track for Future Test Flights 
 
 Photos: Orion Space Capsule's Parachute Test 
 
 Photos: NASA's Orion Spacecraft Heat Shield on Display 
 
 The Orion Space Capsule: NASA's Next Spaceship: Photos 

 Tweet with a location 
 
 You can add location information to your Tweets, such as your city or precise location, from the web and via third-party applications. You always have the option to delete your Tweet location history. Learn more
– As the official Orion Spacecraft Twitter feed put it: "YES! Splashdown!" In just 4.5 hours, Orion traveled 60,000 miles and went farther into space than any ship designed for humans has gone in 42 years, reports NASA. Orion landed, stable and upright, in the Pacific at 11:29am, having gone from a peak speed of 20,000mph to 20mph using "some maneuvers, 11 parachutes," reports ABC News. Roughly halfway through Orion's journey, ABC News noted that its systems were performing perfectly, including Orion's on-board electronics, even after it passed through the Van Allen radiation belts. Space.com notes that the spacecraft hit a peak altitude of 3,604 miles from Earth; it experienced temps of 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit during re-entry, which is two times hotter than molten lava. NASA is counting on future Orions to carry astronauts beyond Earth's orbit to asteroids and, ultimately, the grand prize: Mars. "There's your new spacecraft, America," Mission Control commentator Rob Navias said as the Orion capsule neared the water, per the AP.