I know all this, I'm just running a hypothetical with @stunts...

I know all this, I'm just running a hypothetical with @stunts question. The 3D's max life is something like 7 years and if the 3D's are generating income for services the constellation can't yet provide it would make sense to keep them operational until such a time the constellation can provide those service. There may be a benefit in terms of coverage to bring the 3D's into the fold temporarily when there are only few pearls in orbit, I'm saying 23 sats (20 Pearls + the 3Ds) are presumably better than just 20 pearls alone. I was just asking if that is possible or even likely. This is just a curiosity and irrelevant to the bigger picture.