JF Mezei wrote on Sat, 28 Apr 2018
14:29:09 -0400:

On 2018-04-28 12:30, Jeff Findley wrote:

Adding a service module to Dragon, in place of the simpler trunk, would
be possible, but it would be adding to Dragon's primary mission
capabilities and the crew's lives would depend on the proper functioning
of the service module. As such, it would have to be fully "crew rated"
in a way that relatively benign recovery devices simply do not.


Since BFR/BFS are being built in separate facility, would it really hurt
BFR/BFS if NASA were to send mega pork money for SpaceX to build an
upgraded Dragon with service module to do moon excursions? If the later
is built at Hawthorne facility that is focused on Falcon/Dragon, it
shouldn't hinder BFR/BFS much.


Engineering talent to do designs for such things is just floating
around available.


Yes, it makes more sense for SpaceX to respond to RFP with BFR/BFS
proposal for moon. The mega pork from NASA would help fund BFR/BFS
development.

But if BFR/BFS proposal would not win, then it is better for SPaceX to
win with Dragon/Falcon so at least profits from that work go to fund
BFR/BFS. (aka: better than nothing)


You're assuming they're looking for 'commercial crew'. Given that
that would compete directly with SLS/Orion, you probably shouldn't
hold your breath waiting for that.


Longer term though, if BFR/BFS do to manned space travel what Fancon9
reusability has done for cargo costs, then eventually, it will win
any/all NASA contracts for manned space travel.


Don't bet on it. They'll have some reason for wanting to use
SLS/Orion.


--
"Some people get lost in thought because it's such unfamiliar
territory."
--G. Behn