Next Generation launch-abort system from SpaceX!

SpaceX has proposed a next-generation launch-abort system to NASA that makes the previous systems look primitive in comparison.

I have been following the COTS launch-abort system that got completed a year ago, and was always wondering why SpaceX did not just bid to use it, since that was the major thing needed for Dragon+Falcon9 to be human-rated. I always thought it was because Elon was interested in keeping their operations simple by keeping minimal dependencies to other agencies/suppliers - which he has repeatedly stated in several interviews,articles & presentations. One could also speculate that it was because Orbital, a competitor for Space-X, built it.

But turns out there was a much bigger reason, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that out the following from http://www.spacex.com/updates.php.

"SpaceX has proposed an integrated launch abort system design, which has several advantages over the tractor tower approaches used by all prior vehicles:

• Provides escape capability all the way to orbit versus a tractor system, which is so heavy it must be dumped about four minutes after liftoff.
  
• Improves crew safety, as it does not require a separation event, whereas any non-integral system (tractor or pusher), must be dumped on every mission for the astronauts to survive.
  
• Reduces cost since the escape system returns with the spacecraft.
  
• Enables superior landing capabilities since the escape engines can potentially be used for a precise land landing of Dragon under rocket power. (An emergency chute will always be retained as a backup system for maximum safety.)"
  

Another related note; recently in his post-mission NASA breifing after the Demo Flight 2 of Falcon 9, Elon Musk had mentioned that they were thinking of controlled landing for future versions of Dragon. I was wondering why they were adding this complexity and how would they actually do that without making the Dragon system heavier- now we know the answer :-) (see above). They are going to use the launch-abort rocket and fuel to do that, since the launch-abort system comes back with the mission- not only does that provide full launch-abort capability all the way to orbit, it provides a free controlled landing! Brilliant!