Watch: Orion readies for its first spaceflight.
TORONTO – NASA’s Orion spacecraft is one step closer to reaching space.
The spacecraft — which will eventually take a manned crew to and from an asteroid mission or Mars — is set to launch from the Kennedy Space Center on Dec. 4.
It was originally expected to move to the pad on Monday, but was postponed for 24 hours due to local thunderstorms.
See below for live coverage of the launch, and scroll down for the rest of this story.
While the test launch will be unmanned, it is a crucial step in sending humans farther out than ever before.
The test is designed to test its launch systems, as well as its computer systems and landing parachutes.
READ MORE: In Photos: NASA’s first launch of Orion spacecraft and what to expect
Orion reached the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 37 at 3:07 a.m. EST Wednesday.
Once there, it will be fitted atop United Launch Alliance’s Delta IV Heavy rocket which will take it 15 times farther than the current orbit of the space station during the test launch. Its total mission time will be 4.5 hours.
READ MORE: Behind the scenes at Orion’s launch
The Dec. 4 launch will be the first test of a spacecraft designed for human spaceflight since the space shuttle. But it is more similar to the Apollo spacecraft that took humans to the moon.
The Orion capsule — which can support four people for 21 days — is just part of a mission for a larger craft that could support people for much longer — such as a nine-month trip to Mars.
Follow me for more updates on this historic step to space.
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