Humans and Robots . . again

--- In ssi_list@... "victoriatangoman

> I can't decide from what you've written thus far if you hold the
> opinion that even with abandonment and subsequent launch of a
> replacement, that the cost would still be less than designing
> engineering for life support into the mission. If this is so then
> I'd be interested in reading your rationale for that position.
>
> TangoMan

I would add that the cost is more than just "designing engineering
for life support into the mission". Is there not also a significant
cost to using a man-rated launch vehicle (to put the humans on board
that which you designed "engineering for life support") versus using
one of the cheaper ELV's?

The bottom line, in my opinion, is that there are certain missions
for which direct human involvement would absolutely be necessary. But
there's a lot of work that can and should be done with automation and
telecontrol that can help pave the way for a permanent human presence
in space.

Jack