How does flying four crew members and significant cargo affect the calculation of SpaceX's effective crew seat cost?
Answer
It might underestimate the value received as cargo delivery costs are deferred.
NASA consistently flies four-person crews on the Dragon capsule, utilizing the remaining capacity for highly valuable cargo delivery to the International Space Station. When calculating the cost solely based on the crew seats, this figure may underestimate the total value derived from the flight. This is because the operational cost covers both crew transport and cargo delivery, effectively deferring the expense of what would otherwise require a separate, dedicated cargo flight, thus strengthening the economic justification for the expense.
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