On Tue, 24 Aug 2010 13:58:06 +1000, Alan Erskine
wrote:

Orion isn't dead. President Obama reinstated the project in April
(after killing it in February) as a lifeboat for the Space Station.

Cites?

"In addition, as part of this effort, we will build on the good work
already done on the Orion crew capsule. I’ve directed Charlie Bolden
to immediately begin developing a rescue vehicle using this
technology, so we are not forced to rely on foreign providers if it
becomes necessary to quickly bring our people home from the
International Space Station. And this Orion effort will be part of the
technological foundation for advanced spacecraft to be used in future
deep space missions. In fact, Orion will be readied for flight right
here in this room."

- President Obama, April 15, 2010