NASA has enlisted the engineering expertise of private industry to begin sending humans into space from the US once again, but thats only part of NASAs manned space flight plans. The Orion program is NASAs version of a next generation launch system for missions to deep space, and its going to get its first real world test late this year.

NASA has been so kind as to put together a seven minute video detailing Orions first mission. It wont carry and people when it lifts off December 4, but this is a huge step for the Orion program, which was almost scrapped several times. Orion is vastly different vehicle than the Space Shuttle, which was monstrously complex. It has more in common with the old Apollo missions, but its trip will start at the top of a Delta IV heavy rocket.

As soon as Orion has reached orbit, it will jettison the launch abort system. This is a small rocket pod on the noseof the crew capsule designed to carry its occupants to safety in the event of a launch failure. The main thrusters will carry Orion into a standard low-Earth orbit so the sensors inside the craft can acquire data on its performance. The next phase is the beginning of Orions specialized mission.

The engines will fire again and take Orion to an orbital altitude of 3600 miles 15 times higher than the International Space Station. This will send the craft through the Van Allen radiation belts, which surround much of the Earth and pose a danger to human astronauts. NASA will carefully evaluate how the Orion module holds up in the presence of this punishing radiation.

When bringing Orion home, its going to hit the atmosphere going nearly 20,000 mph. As it compresses and forces its way through the thickening atmosphere, the air will heat up 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The pod will slow to about 300 mph, but the parachutes deployed over the ocean will take that down to a mere 20 mph before splashdown. The entire mission is expected to last just 4.5 hours, but the data gathered will be invaluable in planning a future manned flight in Orion to asteroids or even Mars.

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NASA releases video preview of Orions December test flight