Tag Archives: European Space Agency

The United States took the first step on its long journey to Mars when the Orion spacecraft blasted off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on its inaugural test flight. But Orion’s first test flight represents much more than an opportunity to collect data and refine spacecraft design; it represents the return of American leadership and ambition on the final frontier.

Despite its overall success, the ten-year space journey to an icy dirtball wasn’t without concerns and small failures.