Spectators gathered before dawn with their eyes to the sky to watch the debut flight of NASA's Orion spaceship.
NATS: COUNTDOWN
SOUNDBITE: UNIDENTIFIED SPECTATOR, SAYING:
"I was raised around this area and I've seen plenty of launches and I don't care which one it is, they always thrill me."
SOUNDBITE: UNIDENTIFIED SPECTATOR, SAYING:
"History in the making, the maiden voyage of the Orion, awesome."
The spaceship designed to one day fly astronauts to Mars had a picture perfect liftoff and splashdown.
For the team behind the launch, there was plenty to celebrate.
SOUNDBITE: WILLIAM GERSTENMAIER, NASA'S ASSOCIATE ADMINISTRATOR FOR HUMAN EXPLORATION & OPERATIONS, SAYING:
"Thank you for catching that spirit that we all feel as human beings, that we as a species are meant to push human presence into the solar system."
The successful test run was an emotional feat for those who have been working to advance space exploration.
SO
