ACEIZE

NASA is testing landing capsule cushions for the Orion crew vehicle. Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor for the Orion crew vehicle. The Orion craft will take over the role of the current shuttle fleet. It is currently estimated that the Orion will begin missions in 2015, leaving a 5 year gap when there will be no US manned flights into orbit. Budget problems are to blame for the delay (although a small gap was originally planned). The current shuttles will be retired in 2010.