After years of probing the space frontier through astronauts and space shuttles, the NASA Orion test flight update could potentially mean that astronauts might eventually reach Mars, the ultimate dream.

The latest NASA Orion test flight update has been released: the Orion will reach space this very week! After eight years and around $9 billion, now will finally be the time when the controversial project will see space - it has gone through several years of funding problems, according to USA Today, in a time when space exploration is no longer a priority on the administration.

Back in 2009, the Orion project was nearly cancelled, as the White House discovered that NASA was behind schedule (for a few years) and it would be necessary to inject a few million dollars to make the Mars man landing possible, as well as further missions to the moon.

NASA budgets have been cut considerably in the last few years, as the recession left the government with other priorities beyond scientific research. This new NASA Orion test flight update could give a boost to the morale of those working in the famous agency that led the United States to being the first human beings in the Moon back in 1969.

While the Orion project is the one that scientists are building to eventually lead a manned spacecraft as far away as Mars, it has come across difficulties in the field of financing, and it's been said that if there is no change in the way the government is handling the situation, the latest NASA Orion test flight update will serve little purpose as the whole research might reach a dead end.

According to Phys.org, the latest NASA Orion test flight update will feature the newest spacecraft of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration flying unmanned this Thursday, 3,600 miles into space to gain momentum to re-enter the atmosphere.

Those who can't get enough of space, keep keep their eye in the sky for NASA Orion test flight updates!