16 Tháng 8, 2008 - Published 14:16 GMT

NASA hoãn phóng tàu vũ trụ

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
đến hạn nghỉ hưu, không hoạt động nữa

on the launch pad
được đưa lên bệ phóng, sẵn sàng phóng vào vũ trụ

to accelerate
tăng tốc

additional funding
khoản quỹ, ngân sách bổ sung

to ferry crews
chở phi hành đoàn đi vào vũ trụ và trở về trái đất

a crucial part of NASA's vision
một phần rất quan trọng trong kế hoạch dài hạn của NASA

come in for strong criticism
bị phản đối mạnh mẽ, bị chê trách nhiều

on the grounds of safety
vì lý do an toàn

come to light
được biết đến

putting enough emphasis on
đánh giá một cách nghiêm túc đúng mức