Cost concerns are at the root of the delay , says NASA management . Orion is sometimes called ` ` Apollo on steroids '' Unlike the space shuttle , Orion is a capsule that will parachute to a landing . `` Having some number of months of schedule flexibility to meet our commitment , in addition to having some number of months of cost -- dollars -- flexibility , is key to keeping ourselves in a healthy posture . '' The new target of a September 2014 launch is a year later than NASA had planned .
Cost concerns are at the root of the delay , says NASA management . Orion is sometimes called ` ` Apollo on steroids '' Unlike the space shuttle , Orion is a capsule that will parachute to a landing . The new target of a September 2014 launch is a year later than NASA had planned .