The Orion space capsule that launched on Dec. 5 has been under development by NASA since the mid-2000s. But watching it splash down in the Pacific ocean four hours later, you'd be forgiven for thinking of the 1970s.
The capsule, which by some reliable estimates cost over $10 billion, didn't accomplish anything that wasn't somewhat routine for NASA in the era of the Apollo moon landings. NASA, however, is encouraging a very different view.
Rather than admit Orion's many shortcomings, it has boldly promoted the mission as the first step in America's journey to Mars — or, as NASA tweets it, America's #JourneyToMars.