I have the greatest confidence in this mission
My thoughts too, Raoul, but then again, remember, the Pods could be remotely operated by the HAL-9000 Series on board computer, as we saw in the Frank Poole murder sequence.
Not a bad capability to have, in case the crew were somehow, mmmm, incapacitated.
I agree, the AE-35 Unit replacement EVA could be accomplished without the Pods, but on a years long mission in such a large, complex, nuclear propelled spacecraft, the requisite litany of maintenance EVA's might be a whole lot more comfortable in a shirt sleeve environment Pod .
Just don't forget your helmet.