The launch of the Orion space capsule will mark the beginning of a new era in space exploration similar to the first Apollo launch and the first launch of the space shuttle, NASA officials predicted Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The Orion, the spaceship NASA wants to use to fly humans to Mars, is poised to launch at 7:05 am (1205 GMT) Thursday from the Kennedy Space Center on Florida’s east coast.<\/p>\n
“The team is ready,” said Mike Sarafin, lead flight director. “We haven’t had this feeling in a while – since the end of the shuttle programme.”<\/p>\n
The weather is not expected to play a negative role. The forecast improved Wednesday to only a 30-per-cent chance of the weather causing the launch to be postponed. The temperature will be about 22 degrees Celsius and the only concern was a light wind blowing from the Atlantic and possible showers that the spacecraft would have to fly though.
\nOverall, the mood Wednesday at the Kennedy Space Center was upbeat.<\/p>\n
“We are buttoned up and ready to go,” said Ron Fortson, director of mission management at United Launch Alliance, the company that built the rocket that will carry Orion into space.<\/p>\n
Vox YahClick for farmers in SKA radio-quiet zone<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n