KSC-2014-3910

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Horizontal Integration Facility at Space Launch Complex 37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the second stage of the United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket has been mated to the core booster of the three booster stages for the unpiloted Exploration Flight Test-1, or EFT-1. During the mission, Orion will travel farther into space than any human spacecraft has gone in more than 40 years. The data gathered during the flight will influence design decisions, validate existing computer models and innovative new approaches to space systems development, as well as reduce overall mission risks and costs for later Orion flights. Liftoff of Orion on the first flight test is planned for December 2014. Photo credit: NASA/Daniel Casper