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Article #6413Re: Why have both manned and auto capability on DC-[XY1] & Buran?
From: Edward V. Wright
Date: Sat, 19 Dec 1992 00:06
Date: Sat, 19 Dec 1992 00:06
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In <1992Dec18.011309.12639@bby.com.au> gnb@baby.bby.com.au (Gregory N. Bond) writes: >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. No, DC-X is unmanned and not large enough to carry a pilot. >Given that the thing can fly automatically, why add pilots? McDAC has said that operational flights will be controlled automatically, and the flight crew will be passengers rather than pilots. Of course, they said the same thing about Project Mercury once, too. I don't expect it will true today any more than it was then. >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. Machines break. A Boeing 747 is capable of taking off from an airport runway, flying from Los Angeles to Sydney, and landing. Automatically. But airlines still have pilots.
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From: ewright@convex.com (Edward V. Wright)
Subject: Re: Why have both manned and auto capability on DC-[XY1] & Buran?
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Date: Sat, 19 Dec 1992 00:06:53 GMT
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