And a space station doesn't need to be prepared for battle...
No weapons systems to design and maintain.
Of course submarines don't have escape pods for each crew member either...
I still think that is a ridiculous requirement for a station crew...
Instead of full fledged return-to-Earth lifeboat system, the station needs a man rated launch vehicle left on the ground that could in the event of an emergency, reach the station on a few days notice...
Scott Evil