Spectators gathered before dawn with their eyes to the sky to watch the debut flight of NASA's Orion spaceship.<br/> <br />NATS: COUNTDOWN<br/> <br />SOUNDBITE: UNIDENTIFIED SPECTATOR, SAYING:<br/> <br />"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."<br/> <br />SOUNDBITE: UNIDENTIFIED SPECTATOR, SAYING:<br/> <br />"History in the making, the maiden voyage of the Orion, awesome."<br/> <br />The spaceship designed to one day fly astronauts to Mars had a picture perfect liftoff and splashdown.<br/> <br />For the team behind the launch, there was plenty to celebrate.<br/> <br />SOUNDBITE: WILLIAM GERSTENMAIER, NASA'S ASSOCIATE ADMINISTRATOR FOR HUMAN EXPLORATION & OPERATIONS, SAYING:<br/> <br />"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."<br/> <br />The successful test run was an emotional feat for those who have been working to advance space exploration.<br/> <br />SO
