Michoud workers play major role in NASA's successful launch of Orion
Spacecraft mostly built at assembly plant in New Orleans East
It was just a test flight that lasted four and a half hours, but it was the first step towards the US mission to Mars in the decades to come.
While the eyes of the world were on the space flight, many around New Orleans were busy beaming with pride after their contributions to the flight.
Orion was mostly constructed at NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans East.
A small group of employees gathered to watch the successful launch here at home, but most of their colleagues traveled to Cape Canaveral to witness the launch with their own eyes.
Orion is the first human-rated vehicle that can carry astronauts beyond low earth orbit on voyages to deep space in more than 40 years.
According to a Michoud spokesman about 75 percent of the craft was constructed at its assembly facility.
This work included the capsule portion of the vessel, which will eventually hold the crew, to the carbon fiber sarings, or the three pieces that separate from the capsule shortly after take off.
The rocket portion of the craft will also be built in New Orleans. That part of the project was announced in September when NASA unveiled the world's largest welder to start construction of the agency's Space Launch System. Once complete, officials say it will be the world's most powerful rocket ever built.
Michoud hopes NASA will extend its contract for decades to come.