WATCH: NASA will launch its Orion spacecraft early Thursday morning, blasting off into a news space race. The U.S. space agency isn’t the only one reaching for Mars, but it’s determined to be the first. Aarti Pole has details from Cape Canaveral, Fla.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The feeling of anticipation across the Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday was palpable.
The Orion capsule — the first crew vehicle since the shuttle — sat on stop of the world’s most powerful rocket, United Launch Alliance’s Delta IV Heavy, its maiden voyage into space less than 24 hours away.
Signs with the Orion slogan “I’m On Board” lined fences along the road into the facility. Social media, part of NASA’s Tweetup public outreach event arrived, smiles lined faces, and laughter echoed across the property.
Elmo even showed up.
NASA administrator Charles Bolden was clearly swept up in the excitement.
“This is a BFD,” Bolden told reporters, laughing. “If you can’t figure out what that stands for…”
Thursday’s 7:05 a.m. launch of Orion is an important milestone for NASA. The dreams of living or working off-planet, which was once bolstered by the Apollo program, are a distant memory.
But the dream of going to Mars is now a very real one.
“And we’re not 30 years away,” said Bolden.
While Bolden acknowledged the international effort getting into deep space involves, he also said that the United States has long been a leader in space exploration and that they’re ready to once again lead the way.
“We make impossible things possible. We make science fiction science fact.”
Mark Geyer, the Orion program manager was also clearly excited.
“Some of you got to see the rocket today…I saw it yesterday. But they wouldn’t let me touch it,” he said, smiling.
As the countdown clock ticks away, the role of this test launch becomes more and more apparent.
“It all comes to life tomorrow with two million pounds of thrust, lifting Orion on just a fountain of fire at an impossible speed out into space,” said Tory Bruno, ULA’s Chief Executive Officer. “All of us, you and I, everyone on this planet, embarking on this amazing journey towards mankind’s destiny beyond our planet.”
WATCH: Current NASA administrator and former astronaut Charles Bolden talks about this exciting new step for NASA
Bolden also fielded questions about the idea of possible failure, especially in light of the recent Antares rocket explosion.
“I like big days,” Bolden said. “In order to have a big day, you have to take a big risk,” Bolden said. “Is it risky? Yes. Is it worth it? Yes.”
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