CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida: NASA stood poised to usher in a new era of exploration Thursday with the premier launch of its new Orion spacecraft.

The unmanned test flight was set to begin with a sunrise liftoff, but was delayed after a boat strayed into the launch-danger zone and a minor rocket issue popped up. Then a wind gust halted the countdown at the three-minute, 43-second mark.

NASA was monitoring the winds before setting a new launch time. “No show-stoppers,” stressed launch commentator Mike Curie, noting the team had until midmorning to send Orion on its way.

It’s the first attempt to send a spacecraft capable of carrying humans beyond a couple hundred miles of Earth since the Apollo moon program.

The ultimate goal, in the decades ahead, is to use Orion to carry people to Mars and back.

NASA anticipated 26,000 guests for the historic send-off — the roads leading into Kennedy Space Center were packed well before dawn — and the atmosphere was reminiscent of the shuttle-flying days. “Go Orion!!” urged a hotel billboard in nearby Cocoa Beach.