NASA launches new Orion spacecraft

The Delta IV rocket carrying NASA's new Orion spacecraft for an unmanned test flight lifted off at 7:05 a.m. Friday from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, NASA announced.

Orion will orbit the Earth twice, reaching a peak altitude of 5,793 km (3,600 miles) during its trip.

The spacecraft is scheduled to splash down in the Pacific Ocean in approximately 4.5 hours.

Orion's flight test is a critical step in NASA's planned journey of man to Mars.