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With the access doors opened at Launch Complex 37 in Cape Canaveral, Fla., NASA's Orion spacecraft and a Delta IV Heavy rocket are visible inside the Mobile Service Tower.(Photo: NASA)
Corrections and clarifications: An earlier version of this article misstated the tree in the lighting ceremony tonight.
1. NASA's small step for man could lead to steps on Mars
Deep-space capsule Orion is set to launch on Thursday in a four-and-a-half-hour flight. While putting humans on Orion is at least seven years away, according to NASA, the capsule is designing to fly astronauts to an asteroid or perhaps someday Mars. It will launch from NASA's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station early Thursday morning, projected for 7:05 a.m. ET.
Here are the five things you need to know about NASA's Orion spacecraft that's headed to Mars. VPC
2. NCIS fans with Dish Network may not be too happy about this
CBS Corp. is not playing around with Dish Network. The companies have been negotiating for six months for a new carriage contract, which spells out how much Dish pays for the rights to carry CBS channels and the terms of streaming and other digital rights. If no contract is signed by "Thursday evening at 7:00 PM/ET," CBS is prepared to pull their channels in New York, Los Angeles and other major markets.
CBS says its channels could go dark for Dish customers in some large markets if they can't agree on a new contract by Thursday evening. CBS' primetime lineup includes some of the most popular TV shows, including NCIS.(Photo: Trae Patton, CBS)
3. President Obama and family light up the National Christmas Tree
Not to be outdone by Rockefeller Center, Obama and family will light up the National Christmas Tree on Thursday to crowds surrounding the area near the White House. Fifth Harmony and Patti Labelle will perform at the event hosted by Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson. This year's tree — and several surrounding trees — is powered through Google's Made for Code initiative that is used by children across the country.
4. Tiger Woods returns to the competitive green
The Tiger roars on Thursday, as Woods returns to competitive golf in the Hero World Challenge in Florida. Commencing his second comeback of the year and the fifth in the last five years, Tiger Woods had surgery earlier in March and only played in eight events this season, finishing 72 holes on just three occasions. He's been laying low for the past two months.
5. NBC heads to Neverland with Peter Pan Live!
You don't want to grow up? Well, you're in good company. NBC's second foray into live musicals, Peter Pan Live!, airs on Thursday starring Girls breakout Allison Williams as Pan and legend Christopher Walken as arch-nemesis Captain Hook. Following the massive ratings success of last December's live rendition of The Sound of Music, NBC hopes for a similar smash — with some better reviews.
PETER PAN LIVE! (l-r) Jake Lucas as John Darling, Taylor Louderman as Wendy Darling, Allison Williams as Peter Pan, John Allyn as Michael Darling(Photo: Virginia Sherwood, NBC)
And, the essentials:
Weather: Mild, soggy and rather dreary weather is forecast Thursday for large parts of the nation.
The national weather forecast for Thursday, December 4th calls for rain and snow showers in the West Coast, evening showers in the Midwest and cold and dry in the Great Lakes. VPC
Stocks: U.S. stock futures eked out gains Thursday as Asia's stock markets surged.
TV Tonight: Wondering what to watch tonight? TV critic Robert Bianco looks at Peter Pan Live! and The Taste.
USA TODAY's Robert Bianco previews the television lineup for Thursday, December 4th with 'Peter Pan Live,' 'The Taste' and 'Renee Fleming: Christmas in New York.' VPC
If you missed Wednesday's news, we've got you covered here.
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