Orion

On December 5, 2014, after a long hiatus NASA performed successful launch of its new spacecraft intended for human flight. After the two-orbit unmanned test flight the Orion capsule returned in the Apollo-style splashdown.

As a matter of fact, the Orion spacecraft is designed on the same concept and looks very much like the somewhat enlarged Apollo.

The principal difference is that while Apollo carried three astronauts to the Moon, the bigger Orion is supposed to carry four astronauts to Mars.

This first launch was performed on board of the Delta IV Heavy rocket. In the future, Orion will launch on NASA’s new heavy-lift rocket, the Space Launch System. It is expected to be more powerful than any rocket ever built, at least in its final configuration.

It is worth noting the Elon Musk's statement about his SpaceX new rocket expected to be launched in 2015: “Falcon Heavy will carry more payload to orbit or escape velocity than any vehicle in history, apart from the Saturn V moon rocket, which was decommissioned after the Apollo program". Mr. Musk has to study history of space flight better. While his Falcon Heavy should be able to carry 53 ton to low Earth orbit, Energia heavy lift launcher was able to carry up to 100 ton.

Touchdown !

Carl Sagan's dream of landing on comet came true:

http://blogs.esa.int/rosetta/2014/11/12/touchdown-confirmed-for-philae-at-1703-cet/

Space history made.

45 years later

Apollo 11 splashing down in Pacific on July 24 1969 fulfilled President Kennedy challenge of sending a man to the Moon and safely returning him home. It proved that it is possible for humans to set an ambitious goal and reach it.

Interestingly that goal was set up not from necessity but from the pure spirit of competition. We have a number of challenges on Earth and beyond we as a humankind have to resolve now - from ending senseless bloody wars to overcoming global pollution bringing to the tipping point of irreversible climate change. Sadly, it does not seem to inspire any world leader to take a challenge of "by the end of the decade to end dependency on the fossil fuels" or similar, which would be a great and worthy cause.   

45 years ago a young boy back in the Soviet Union proud of Sputnik and Gagarin, dreaming to become a Cosmonaut, read about "Americans" on the Moon and felt devastated and betrayed. Now I feel betrayed again.
 
Gene Cernan, commander of the last Apollo mission leaves the lunar surface with these words: "We leave as we came and, god willing, as we shall return, with peace, and hope for all mankind." The bootprints of Apollo are still waiting for company...