Just some thoughts thrown out for consideration...
In my $Day_Job, I work with the Enterprise Distros, and with a formalized set of change management processes. In both, a significant change to form, fit, or function usually warrants a major version change, and an impact assessment weighing the need for change against the stability of the environment.
With 8.04 presently being the "stable release", and 10.04 being the alpha/beta "development release", might I suggest that a change in orbitors might constitute a major change to form, fit, and function. Might it not be better to concentrate efforts on integrating and stabilizing the new orbitor with 10.04? That way those who value stability can remain on 8.04 with the existing technology, and those who don't mind living on the edge can help with testing the new qOrbitor.
For the communities' consideration...
/Mike