We’re less than three weeks away from the start of America’s next generation space program.

Orion is set to launch Dec. 4 from the Space Coast during its first test flight.

However, it’s turning out to be a challenge for visitors who want to witness the historic launch.

People are coming from around the world to watch the start of the program, which could one day take humans to Mars or an Asteroid.

Almost all hotels in the Cocoa Beach and Titusville area are sold out for most of the days surrounding the launch.

“The bookings started coming in real quick,” said John Read from the Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront. “Hotels started filling up fast. It’s great for the community. It fills the restaurants. We just couldn’t ask for a better time of the year, especially December.”

Tourism leaders said it’s like an early Christmas gift as early December is usually one of the slowest times for hotels on the Space Coast.

Meanwhile, The Space Store in Cocoa Village can’t keep up with the demand.

Orion mission patches, pins and hats are flying off the shelves.

“I think there’s a lot of people excited about it, and just the thought of having the crew capsule lifting off and the project getting underway, and then hopefully with the manned missions following next,” said The Space Store’s owner Brett Anderson.

In the past week, more than 80 mission patches were sold.

The Space Store is hoping to get more Orion items soon, including a model of the Delta IV rocket, which will launch Orion on the test flight.