"Jeff Findley" wrote in message
...

In article ,
says...
No, it looks like 4 is the mandated max capacity, not what NASA actually
intends to use.


I don't think NASA plans to ever use more than 3 seats. That's why
Boeing applied for (and got) permission to sell 'spare' seats to
tourists.


Actually, NASA specified four seats on the crewed vehicles from the
beginning so that some time in the future they can increase the ISS crew
size from six to seven. One additional crew member would allow more
science experiments to be performed.


Yeah, I've seen a few references to increasing the crew size. And makes
sense to me.
Heck, if they can swing it, increase it to 8.

NASA ANNOUNCES NINE COMMERCIAL CREW FLIGHT ASSIGNMENTS, MORE TO COME
FROM INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS
By Marcia Smith | Posted: August 3, 2018 2:39 pm ET | Last Updated:
August 3, 2018 2:39 pm ET
https://spacepolicyonline.com/news/n...mmercial-crew-
flight-assignments-more-to-come-from-international-partners/

From above:

Once the commercial crew systems are operational, it will be
possible to increase the size of the crews who remain aboard
ISS for long-duration (4-6 month) missions from six to seven.
That was the original plan: three from Russia and four from
NASA and its European, Canadian and Japanese counterparts.

It's a bit odd though that both SpaceX and Boeing went beyond the
minimum requirement and both picked seven as the maximum number of crew
in each capsule design. Makes me wonder if that was coincidence or if
this was always some sort of unwritten requirement that was communicated
verbally.

I think it's more a set of other factors (especially in the case of Dragon)
just conspiring to make a capsule of "X" Size and realizing you can fit in 7
crew.

You figure, they're staying close to the original Apollo CM size (at least
in diameter) and Apollo could have fit 5 in a pinch. Make things a bit
bigger, free up some interior room and bing you've got 7.



Jeff

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