NASA Orion Rocket Launch (VIDEO)

NASA launched its new Orion spacecraft Friday morning, December 5, 2014.

This is the start of a new era for human space exploration which will ultimately lead to a manned-mission to Mars.

Very exciting.

The target date for a Mars mission will be in the 2030s. Hope we're still around to witness it.

Watch the video here:

From AP:

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA's new Orion spacecraft streaked into orbit Friday on a high-stakes test flight meant to usher in a new era of human exploration leading ultimately to Mars.

The unmanned orbital journey began with a sunrise liftoff witnessed by thousands of NASA guests. Parts of the spacecraft peeled away exactly as planned, falling back toward Earth as onboard cameras provided stunning views of our blue, cloud-covered planet.

"The star of the day is Orion," said NASA Administrator Charles Bolden Jr., back for the second morning in a row. He called it "Day One of the Mars era."

Orion's debut will be brief — just 4½ hours from launch to splashdown, with two orbits of Earth. But for the first time in 42 years, NASA is sending a spacecraft built for humans farther than a couple hundred miles from Earth. The previous time was the Apollo 17 moon shot.

And it's NASA's first new vehicle for space travel since the shuttle.