XPost: sci.space.shuttle, sci.space.policy   
   From: bondage@frontiernet.net   
      
   "Jorge R. Frank" wrote:   
   >   
   > "Meszéna Géza"  wrote in   
   > news:O1bgc.9310$N9.3961@news.chello.at:   
   >   
   > > Would it be possible to finish the ISS by exclusively unmanned Shutle   
   > > flights?   
   >   
   > It is possible, but not terribly practical. Some of the areas to be   
   > automated would seriously push the state-of-the-art.   
   >   
   > > This would remove the need for obeying the CAIB recommendations. Under   
   > > the existing 98% reliability, whith some luck, you can deliver the 25   
   > > fligths necessary for comleting the Station without losing another   
   > > vehicle.   
   >   
   > Automating the shuttle will be more expensive, take longer, and be more   
   > technically challenging than meeting the CAIB recommendations.   
      
      
      And they would be no more replaceable (even less so than a crew, as   
   has been argued here) than a crewed orbiter if another one were to be   
   lost...   
      
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