With the three remaining space shuttles due to retire in 2010, NASA had hoped to have the Orion replacement craft on the launch pad by 2013. But now, they say, the window of opportunity to accelerate the project has closed, and the first mission is likely to be a trip to the International Space Station in September 2014.
NASA had hoped that additional funding from the US congress would have allowed an earlier launch but this has not been authorised. The delay means that the United States will be dependant on the Russian space agency to ferry crews to the ISS for almost four years.
Launched on top of a two stage Ares rocket, the Orion space craft is a crucial part of NASA's vision for the future, as it will be part of the programme that includes returning astronauts to the moon by 2020.
The Constellation program, as it is called, has come in for strong criticism on the grounds of safety. The Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel said the new vehicle might not be capable of providing adequate protection against hazards that will only come to light once the spacecraft is in operation. NASA, according to the report, was not putting enough emphasis on safety and reliability, and the program was facing difficulties with money, morale and leadership.
Matt McGrath, BBC
due to retire
در اینجا: قرار است از سرویس خارج شود
on the launch pad
روی سکوی پرتاب
to accelerate
تسریع بخشیدن به....شتاب دادن به
additional funding
پول اضافی، بودجه اضافی
to ferry crews
بردن و بازگرداندن خدمه ( در اینجا منظور فضانوردان است)
a crucial part of NASA's vision
یک بخش بسیار مهم از برنامه ناسا در دراز مدت
come in for strong criticism
has come in for strong criticism : مورد انتقاد شدیدی قرار گرفته
on the grounds of safety
از لحاظ ایمنی، به دلایل ایمنی
come to light
has come to light : معلوم شده، روشن شده
putting enough emphasis on
به حد کافی تاکید گذاشتن به.....، تاکید کردن کافی به ......