Neil Fraser wrote:
On Apr 16, 5:40 pm, Pat Flannery wrote:
I hadn't thought of that, but it's a very good point.
The two-Soyuz concept actually makes more sense in that regard.

But this still doesn't addres what the point of the Orion is.

The Russians will continue to service their three cosmonaut slots
using a rotating series of Soyuz craft. So they are accounted for in
terms of evac needs. Once Dragon (or others) comes online, the
Americans will stop using a second Soyuz, and start using a rotating
series of Dragon craft. So they are accounted for in terms of evac
needs.

Who's left? Everyone has a seat. Who are the mystery travellers who
need the six-seats on Orion Lite? Did Canadarm2 become sentient and
now requires emergency evac in case of fire?

True, but it does give you more options such as flying up 2 and extra
goodies.

But ultimately, I think it's a sop to potential commercial vendors.
Sorta like flying airmail contracts even though at the time trains were more
reliable and for some routes arguably faster.



--
Greg Moore
Ask me about lily, an RPI based CMC.