> despite never satisfactorily explaining why they require a manned spacecraft to do the job rather than sending a robotic drone ship. Seems to me that adding humans to the mix greatly increased the complexity and risk of the mission.
As a software engineer, this statement baffles my mind. like how could anyone in right mind trust software to make right choices in prod on first try?
No, but manned mission can override software if unexpected scenarios are encountered. You can't expect software team on earth to account for all possibilities for a first time mission.
Software can be tested for individual operation. But can't be relied for end to end co-ordination.
All the controls they have use software to do work. Its not like a car you can’t rebuild your engine or jerry rig a solution yourself in outer space. If things don’t go as planned usually people just die, heroic MacGyverism is for hollywood.
As a software engineer, this statement baffles my mind. like how could anyone in right mind trust software to make right choices in prod on first try?