The space launch business will always have risks associated with launch accidents -- fact of life in the space biz. This accident is tragic, but they will recover from it. The Orbital Corp. Antares has already had three successful cargo deliveries to ISS.
Okay. Thanks. The Washington Post did not mention their successes, only their failures. So it wasn’t as bad as I thought to use this company. I figured it was another typical crony contract that has been going on within this admin. But on further reading, I see you are right.
Should have known the Washington Post would slant it.
Bottom line.
The circumstances are the US never seriously pursued the development of throttle controlled, liquid fuel, heavy lift rocket engines. However, the Russians did, for their massive (and unsuccessful) N1 vehicle. The NK-15 design engine can be followed through the NK-33 to the RD-180, a reliable design that is licensed to be produced in the US, if we care to build the manufacturing facilities required.
None of these designs are junk and the newer RD-180 is indeed sweet, but trying to run 30 engines to lift the N1 was overcomplicated.