Space Shuttle Successor Won't Fly Before 2014

Aug. 12, 2008 -- NASA announced it has pushed back the launch of the Orion, the spacecraft designed to replace the agency's aging space shuttle fleet, by one year to 2014.

"The window of opportunity for us to accelerate Orion (for a 2013 flight) has closed," said Orion program manager Jeff Hanley, speaking during the same conference call.

NASA had been hoping to launch Orion on its first mission in September 2013.

Rick Gilbrech, NASA associate administrator for the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate, said the delay was due to technical difficulties and a tight budget.

"We are still confident the Constellation Program will make its first flight to the International Space Station on or before," 2014, said Gilbrech.

"Since the program's inception, NASA has been working an aggressive plan to achieve flight capability before our March 2015 target," said Gilbrech, referring to a deadline set by Congress.