OM wrote:

> ...I sort of doubt this, simply because the 1B would have been
> either complemented or even replaced by a bigger intermediate-size
> booster. An uprated S-II derived booster with a wider orbital
> insertion stage - Non-NERVA S-III, anyone? - or even a downscaled
> three-engine Saturn V would have been developed. As we had Atlas,
> Titan and Delta, so with the larger boosters as well.
> 
> Of course, there's the notion of the reusable CM, which no doubt
> would have been developed at least as far as a cargo pod concept...

There are currently thoughts about even a reusable heat shield for a CM 
and land landings, which of course eliminates immersion into saltwater.

   The ablative replaceable heatshield is simpler to build and
   install than the corresponding winged vehicle thermal
   protection system. We already know the thermal distribution
   on the vehicle.  With a land landing, a reusable heatshield
   might apply to the Apollo system.

   Testimony to the House Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics
   On the Assessment of Apollo Hardware for CRV and CTV

   Dale Myers, May 8, 2003

-- 
rk, Citizen, Noooo Yawk
"Sometimes when you connect the dots you get a picture.  Other times you 
just have a bunch of dots."
-- rk, January 23, 2003