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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Kennedy Space Center’s Press Site auditorium, Mike Hawes, Lockheed Martin Orion Program manager, was among agency and industry leaders who spoke to members of the news media as the Orion spacecraft and its Delta IV Heavy rocket were being prepared for launch. Orion is the exploration spacecraft designed to carry astronauts to destinations not yet explored by humans, including an asteroid and Mars. It will have emergency abort capability, sustain the crew during space travel and provide safe re-entry from deep space return velocities. The first unpiloted flight test of Orion is scheduled to launch Dec. 4, 2014 atop a United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket, and in 2018 on NASA’s Space Launch System rocket. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/orion Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett