In less than a week NASA tests its new capsule which one day will send our astronauts to deep space.
Now is the time to find a spot to watch the Orion launch. There are popular spots to view NASA's Orion capsule, mounted atop a Delta IV Heavy rocket, blast into space this coming Thursday from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
Space View Park in Titusville has long been a nice vantage point to see both rocket and shuttle launches. A clear view across the Indian River is ideal for watchers.
It's where reps from Titusville's U.S. Spacewalk of Fame Museum will set up shop December 4, and where hundreds are expected to gather to see this important test flight take off.
"We are going to have thousands of people up and down the river, and we'll have 500 to 600 here in the park," said Charlie Mars of the U.S. Spacewalk of Fame Museum.
Orlando's Joe Awalt will be one. He's seen just about every shuttle launch in history. He realizes the historical value of this upcoming launch, three years after that program's retirement.
"It's great for Titusville, and it's going to be a spectacular launch," he said.
But other viewing areas will be packed too: Canaveral National Seashore, just north of the launch pads will host many on the beach, as will the Cocoa Beach Pier area and points north and south.
And don't forget about a newly adopted spot to see the liftoff. The Welcome Center at Port Canaveral offers spectacular views for patrons, as does Jetty Park at the port.
Back at Space View, the Pace family, lifelong residents of Titusville, is eager for December 4 to get here. Especially for 6-year-old Cali.
"A lot of smoke will come out, and it's going to make noise!" she said with a bright smile.
NASA's Orion spacecraft will head 3,600 miles into orbit to see how it performs. One day our astronauts will be on board headed to deep space destinations.