Delays For Orbital, SpaceX

This year was to see the first flight of Orbital Science's Taurus 2 rocket and the third flight of Spacex's Falcon 9-- the second with its Dragon capsule. Both rockets are to be used to take cargo to ISS. According to NASA, however, the next flights of both will be delayed until at least early next year.

Such delays in the development of new rocket systems are not uncommon-- indeed, they are to be expected. That said, however, a lot is riding on the fairly prompt success of these new rockets-- for the companies, for NASA, for commercial space, and for the emerging NewSpace industry. Early 2012 will be an interesting time for reasons beyond presidential politics.