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>> IMHO, Starliner is too big of an MVP Keep in mind that Starliner is NOT the entire launch system. It is only the crew capsule. It rides on top of an existin
by phkahler 2y ago
>> IMHO, Starliner is too big of an MVP
Keep in mind that Starliner is NOT the entire launch system. It is only the crew capsule. It rides on top of an existing rocket. The same is true of SpaceX Dragon which rides on top of Falcon 9 that already existed.
To your point, Starliner could have started as cargo-only to prove out as much as possible. That's what Dragon did.
- whatshisface 2y agoA cargo-only starliner still would have suffered the same problem and had the same risk of ramming the station.
- jfoster 2y agoSeems like it would be best to test approaching an imaginary or decoy space station when proving a new vehicle.
- firesteelrain 2y agoOr before trying to do it all including a bellyflop
- dotancohen 2y agoThat test was scraped as a cost saving measure. 2016 or 2018 if I recall correctly, after it had been delayed several times.