Orion is a glorified Apollo capsule. Can’t we do better?
The STS (Space Shuttle Transport System) was only meant to operate in LEO (Low Earth Orbit, whereas the Orion is designed to have enough thrust to weight ratio to transport crew and cargoes into HEO (High Earth Orbit), cis-Lunar, and deep space destinations. Consequently, the mass of the Orion crew module must be much more conservative than those of the STS which operated only in LEO.
See post #8.
Are you kidding?
There are many things we could do, and do easily, 50-75 years ago that are well beyond our capabilities now.
We could not send two men to walk on the moon and return them safely to earth today, or at any time in the next ten years, for example.
Orion is a glorified Apollo capsule. Can’t we do better?
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When it comes to safety and cost efficiency, no.
Most of today’s passenger jet aircraft are glorified 707’s, yet they are much more fuel efficient, safer and reliable.