How NASA prepares for its most ambitious deep-space journey in forty years

Space · Published 13 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: At Kennedy Space Center, engineers are assembling the Orion spacecraft for a mission that pushes the boundaries of human reach. This uncrewed flight test is not just a technical milestone; it is a vital rehearsal for sending astronauts to asteroids and beyond.

At NASA's Kennedy Space Center, engineers are finishing the assembly and integration of the Orion spacecraft inside the Operations and Checkout Building. This intensive preparation involves a collaborative effort between NASA employees and Lockheed Martin contractors. The work is part of a larger vision for space exploration, a goal originally set by President Obama three years prior, which included the ambitious objective of sending humans to an asteroid by 2025.

The upcoming uncrewed mission, known as Exploration Flight Test-1 (EFT-1), is designed to push the spacecraft to an altitude of approximately 3,600 miles above Earth. If successful, this mission will represent a significant leap in human capability, reaching farther into space than any human-rated spacecraft has traveled in more than 40 years. This flight is essential for testing how the Orion vehicle performs during deep-space journeys and its subsequent return to Earth.

Beyond simple flight, the EFT-1 mission serves as a critical laboratory for data collection. The information gathered will be used to validate existing computer models and test innovative approaches to space systems development. By using this uncrewed flight to refine the spacecraft's design, NASA aims to reduce the overall risks and costs associated with future crewed missions. Simultaneously, the Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is busy modifying infrastructure, including Launch Pad 39 B, the mobile launcher, and crawler transporter-2, to support these next-generation vehicles.

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