NASA is preparing to launch Orion again. Yesterday's launch attempt was canceled due to several minor hardware issues and weather. Today "All systems are go and weather remains green."
You can watch it live here: http://www.nasa.gov/...
A diary with more info from yesterday: http://www.dailykos.com/...
UPDATE: NASA coverage continues, including replays of the launch. I'm posting some screen captures of the NASA video feed here for those who didn't get to see it live. All images are from NASA...
The last image is of the rocket climbing to orbit; there are cameras on board streaming video through the TDRS satellites. According to commentary going on at the moment, NASA got a lot of social media and internet buzz from this; the video at launch actually went down because of traffic (all these pictures are from the replays.)
NASA is playing up the Mars angle for potential Orion missions, though there is neither a budget or a schedule for an actual Mars mission. But... that's where public interest seems to be. The next Orion test flight isn't scheduled until 2018 - assuming it survives the budget 'process' and the politicians.
I've got to sign off at this point - things to do. Hope you enjoyed this - play nice in comments.
UPDATE: Back again briefly - NASA reports Orion made a successful return to Earth, splashing down in the Pacific. It has currently powered down, and is now safe to recover. (NASA coverage here.) The capsule splashed down right where it was planned almost to the second; a drone in the area got footage as it descended under parachutes. The U.S.S. Anchorage will be bringing it into its well deck for return to San Diego and transfer back to the Cape. Everything seems to have gone near perfectly. The next Orion is slated for launch aboard the Space Launch System (A Delta 4 Heavy did the honors today) and it will go even farther.
The BBC has coverage here, including video of the launch and the return. It also has some graphics that explain the mission and show more about the Orion capsule.
Mission Control, Houston at the conclusion of the successful test flight.