NASA and aerospace manufacturer Lockheed Martin began construction of the Orion capsule earlier this year as part of Exploration Mission-2 (EM-2) that is billed as the mission that will carry humans farther into the solar system than ever before.

Orion will be launched into space via the Space Launch System also being developed by NASA, ultimately stopping at the NASA Lunar Deep Space Gateway. The first goal will be to launch the spacecraft to the Moon and eventually Mars.

Now, Lockheed Martin has completed construction on the spacecraft capsule structure and it has been shipped to Florida for final assembly into a full spacecraft.

The Orion pressure vessel is made from seven large, machined aluminum alloy pieces that are welded together to produce a strong, lightweight air-tight capsule. It was designed to withstand the harsh conditions of deep space travel while keeping humans alive and productive, Lockheed Martin said.

"We're all taking extra care with this build and assembly, knowing that this spaceship is going to take astronauts back to the Moon for the first time in four decades," said Matt Wallo, senior manager of Lockheed Martin Orion Production at Michoud. "It's amazing to think that, one day soon, the crew will watch the sun rise over the lunar horizon through the windows of this pressure vessel. We're all humbled and proud to be doing our part for the future of exploration."