The First Launch and Splashdown of the Orion Spacecraft, December 2014

Photo Credit: NASA / Bill Ingalls 

The unmanned Orion spacecraft, mounted on top of the United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy Rocket, launched on its first test flight at 7:05 a.m. EST, Friday December 5, 2014 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Space Launch Complex 37.  The Orion is designed for long-distance travel to asteroids or Mars.  The video immediately below shows the lift-off and the next video shows the touch-down in the Pacific Ocean several hours later.

Click on the link below if video doesn't function.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEuOpxOrA_0

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdmZAvwznOU  

For an astronaut's-eye view of Orion's return through Earth's atmosphere check out the amazing video below taken from the Orion as it went through the atmosphere to its touchdown in the Pacific.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtWzuZ6WZ8E