Date: Fri, 18 Dec 92 05:08:57 From: Space Digest maintainer Reply-To: Space-request@isu.isunet.edu Subject: Space Digest V15 #567 To: Space Digest Readers Precedence: bulk Space Digest Fri, 18 Dec 92 Volume 15 : Issue 567 Today's Topics: Why have both manned and auto capability on DC-[XY1] & Buran? Welcome to the Space Digest!! Please send your messages to "space@isu.isunet.edu", and (un)subscription requests of the form "Subscribe Space " to one of these addresses: listserv@uga (BITNET), rice::boyle (SPAN/NSInet), utadnx::utspan::rice::boyle (THENET), or space-REQUEST@isu.isunet.edu (Internet). ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 18 Dec 1992 01:13:09 GMT From: "Gregory N. Bond" Subject: Why have both manned and auto capability on DC-[XY1] & Buran? Newsgroups: sci.space I understand the DC-X will, like the xUUSR Buran shuttle, have capabilities for both unmanned automatic operation and piloted operation. I suspect similar capability is expected for DC-Y and DC-1 should they be built. Given that the thing can fly automatically, why add pilots? I'm not sure what manned piloting means in this context, and what it gains over auto operation; especially since providing space, controls, seats, life support etc for the pilots is very expensive on the mass budget. In what sense is the Shuttle piloted? What about Apollo? [I'm not talking here about the capacity to _carry_ people, and I certainly don't want to start the manned-vs-unmanned flamewars again; I'm strictly refering to the actual driving of the craft.] Greg. -- Gregory Bond Burdett Buckeridge & Young Ltd Melbourne Australia If I hear "Jingle Bell Rock" one more time, I will _scream_! ------------------------------ End of Space Digest Volume 15 : Issue 567 ------------------------------