NASA’s new Orion crew capsule flew its first test in space with clocklike precision Friday, using two unmanned orbits that took it deeper into space than any human spacecraft has gone since Apollo 17, and then achieved a bull’s-eye splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

"Every system on the spacecraft functioned by the book -- from start to finish," NASA's Rob Navias reported from Mission Control

"It was just magnificent, a dawn launch," said NASA astronaut Rex Walheim, who flew aboard NASA's final space shuttle mission, STS-135, in July 2011. "I'd love to fly on Orion."

"Very exciting," said Mark Geyer, NASA's Orion project manager. "The launch itself was just a blast. We're looking forward for the rest of the day."

A precise launch date for the 2018 flight test has not been set, though NASA is expected to determine a new target date by late spring 2015.

A precise launch date for the 2018 flight test has not been set, though NASA is expected to determine a new target date by late spring 2015.

"We'll go make sure we have a happy rocket," vowed United Launch Alliance COO Dan Collins. "As soon as we do that, we will get back to the pad and send Orion off to a very successful flight."

NASA, Lockheed Martin look to a second launch attempt on Friday at 7:05 a.m., EST.