From: jeff.findley@ugs.nojunk.com   
      
   "Gene Cash"  wrote in message   
   news:ll0zatp2.fsf@cfl.rr.com...   
   > Space.com has a diagram, and it says the orbital module is "capable of   
   > independent navigation"   
   >   
   > Does this mean it can stay in orbit and function after the crew module   
   > departs? If so, any particular benefit to that? Is this one of the   
   > advances over Soyuz?   
      
   Yes, yes, and yes.   
      
   In the short term, it allows you to run automated experiments long after the   
   crew module departs.  In the long term, you can use those orbital modules as   
   the (at least partial) basis for a space station in LEO.  They could at   
   least be used as storage modules for a station.  You can later pack them   
   with trash and then undock them (and likely command them to reenter and burn   
   up).   
      
   Jeff   
   --   
   Remove icky phrase from email address to get a valid address.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)