2 ms·

Starliner is a capsule/service module, not a rocket.

• rbanffy 2y ago
  Capsule is reusable, service module isn’t, the same as Dragon.
  • Nevermark 2y ago
    Thanks for that info, getting up to speed here. Dragon has a more integrated design. It has a "trunk module" which is a kind of service module lite. So presumably, Dragon is not completely reusable (the trunk is discarded), but more reusable than Starliner in that greater functionality is preserved in the reusable capsule.
    • rbanffy 2y ago
      Agreed. In that, Dragon is a better design overall. At least they can see what went wrong with the propulsion pods after the craft lands. To do that for Starliner would require an EVA and do things to the craft it was definitely not designed to do. If a faulty pod could be detached, the sane EVA would be to close the docking hatch, depressurise the capsule, open its side hatch, detach the pod and put it inside the capsule in a way it wouldn't bang on everything (it'd still contaminate everything with its remaining propellants), close the hatch and let it come back to Earth with the remaining functioning propulsion pods. Quite an adventure.