NASA's 1st Orion Spacecraft Test Flight in Photos

Orion Exploration Flight Test 1: Descent

Drogue parachutes deploy to slow NASA's Orion space capsule down after re-entry in this still from an animation of the unmanned Exploration Test Flight 1 demonstration flight.

Orion Exploration Flight Test 1: Re-entry

NASA's Orion space capsule streaks through Earth's atmosphere in this NASA animation still from a video depiction of the Exploration Flight Test 1. The unmanned test flight will send an unmanned Orion capsule plunging toward Earth at about 20,000 mph, about 84 percent of the speed experienced during NASA's returning Apollo moon ships.

Orion Spacecraft’s Exploration Mission-1

As part of a new agreement between the two space agencies, the European Space Agency will provide the service module for NASA’s Orion spacecraft. Image taken from a video released Jan. 16, 2013.

Orion Service Module by the ESA

When the Orion spacecraft blasts off atop NASA’s Space Launch System rocket in 2017, attached will be the ESA-provided service module – the powerhouse that fuels and propels the Orion spacecraft. Image from video animation released Jan. 16, 2013.

ESA's New Orion Service Module Engine Burn

Exploration Mission-1 will be the first integrated flight test with both the Orion spacecraft and NASA’s new Space Launch System. Image from animation video released Jan. 16, 2013.

NASA's Orion Exploration Flight Test 1: Liftoff

A heavy-lift rocket carrying NASA's Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle launches on the Exploration Test Flight 1 in this still from a NASA video. The test flight, targeted for 2014, would test vital Orion systems and re-entry techniques for deep space missions to an asteroid or elsewhere.

NASA's Orion Exploration Flight Test 1: Separation

The Orion spacecraft separates from its booster in this NASA animation still for the Exploration Test Flight 1, a 2014 fligth demonstration to test Orion systems and re-entry capabilities for future deep space flights. NASA's Orion capsule will be the agency's go-to vehicle to send astronauts on deep space voyages to an asteroid.

Exploration Flight Test 1: Farewell Fairing

This NASA still from a depiction of the Orion Exploration Flight Test 1 shows protective panels separating from the Orion spacecraft during its trip to orbit.

Exploration Flight Test 1: Ascent

NASA's first Orion space capsule ascends into orbit in this still from a NASA animation depicting the unmanned Exploration Flight Test 1 mission to test spacecraft systems and re-entry capabilities.

Exploration Flight Test-1

This NASA animation still shows the Orion capsule separating from its rocket during the Exploration Flight Test-1, an unmanned flight demonstration targeted for 2014 to test the Orion vehicle and re-entry systems.