the downhill leg of the journey
I agree that there is no large downhill capacity in the current plan....BUT....I don't see much requirement for one either if I'm honest.
LDEF was the last large downhill payload I can think of. COTS Period 1 level C is for pressurized cargo to be returned to Earth - and that would certainly fill the gap that we currently have ( getting things back without the need for a full up MPLM flight )
But as for the need to bring back 1000's of Kg's of large payload as one technically could with STS....where is the need for that with the finishing and useage of ISS?
Doug
