Humanity is one step closer to reaching Mars. NASA finished up its Orion Spacecraft Thursday, and it's preparing for a test flight on Dec. 4.

When Orion launches in December, aboard a Delta IV Heavy rocket, it will complete a 4.5-hour, two-orbit test flight.

The flight will really put Orion to the test. NASA says the spacecraft will return to Earth at speeds of more than 20,000 mph. Those speeds will generate temperatures up to 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit, the agency says.

In future, missions Orion will be used as part of NASA’s Space Launch System, the world’s most powerful rocket. The SLS will be the vehicle of choice to take astronauts to an asteroid and on to Mars.

“This is just the first of what will be a long line of exploration missions beyond low earth orbit, and in a few years we will be sending our astronauts to destinations humans have never experienced,” said Bill Hill, deputy associate administrator for Exploration Systems Development.

For those of you who might like a hands-on look at Orion, NASA has put together a printable kit for creating a desk model of your own.

Finally, don’t forget to sign up to have your name aboard the Dec. 4 test flight — the deadline is Friday at Midnight Eastern Time.