Just to make it clear though, I suppose that does not mean that we'll get R1 this month.
As Torc pointed out, it does not. Basically different people get done with their jobs for Diaspora at different times. Newman's basically done all the model making he has assigned to him for R1 so apart from any tweaking or polishing he feels necessary he's free to start building things for R2.
This allows us to get a headstart on R2. One of the biggest delays we had with R1 was getting all the models to the point where the FREDders could start building missions with them. If Newman and other members of the art department can get us stuff ready the mission design department can go straight into building R2 as soon as they're finished with R1.