Hi Larry, comments interspersed below;

Larry J. said...
>>While I still like the CRV concept (X-38), this idea has a lot of merit. It should cost quite a bit less to develop than the proposed OSP (estimated at $12 billion, if memory serves).<<

When I first saw the X-38 concept I thought... most excellent, what a great CTV vehicle. Then it turns out to be it's a CRV system. Big development cost, build a few, take them up and long term park this expensive contraption on Station just for a contingency return. We could put a whole flock of relatively inexpensive Apollo shaped containers on Station, and they would provide the safety backup that is needed.

Now if the X-38 were developed as a crew transfer vehicle, and was equiped with a Apollo Launch Escape System, I could maybe buy into that concept.

Larry J. also said...
>>From the sounds of it, there really wouldn't be a lot of commonality with the Apollo hardware.<<

Doesn't mater about commonality with the Apollo hardware. The important thing is the basic shape and simplistic concept of an Apollo unit.

Furthermore, Larry also said...
>> The lower crossrange capability does impose higher recovery and ground support facility costs.<<
I Concur.

>>However, there's no reason why a significant degree of reusability couldn't be built into a capsule design.<<
Ya Larry, with todays design techniques, materials and technology, the Apollo concept's time may return.

Regards;
Tom Charlton (looking eastward in central Florida...hmmm, still nothin hapnin... sigh...)