In article ,
says...


Probably correct. I'd probably argue the MPLM is more properly compared to
the Dragon itself, just the container.

The one real advantage right now I think the MPLM/shuttle had was larger
download masses, which permitted equipment to be brought back for inspection
repair. Not worth paying extra for it necessarily, but a nice side-effect
if you can get it.

Agreed. Large down-mass is "nice to have", not a necessity. At least
Dragon has some down-mass capability, unlike Cygnus. Clearly down-mass
wasn't as important to NASA as up-mass when awarding the contracts for
commercial cargo.

Jeff
--
"the perennial claim that hypersonic airbreathing propulsion would
magically make space launch cheaper is nonsense -- LOX is much cheaper
than advanced airbreathing engines, and so are the tanks to put it in
and the extra thrust to carry it." - Henry Spencer