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From: dls@mtgzz.UUCP (d.l.skran)
Newsgroups: net.space
Subject: (teleoperators)(Boskone Panalist, etc.)
Message-ID: <1730@mtgzz.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 14-Mar-86 18:01:12 EST
Article-I.D.: mtgzz.1730
Posted: Fri Mar 14 18:01:12 1986
Date-Received: Sat, 15-Mar-86 21:56:07 EST
References: <8603111311.AA07802@s1-b.arpa>
Organization: AT&T Information Systems Labs, Middletown NJ
Lines: 46



1)humans ones on the ground are cheap - agreed
2)humans in space are expensive       - agreed

Now - what about
3)robots/teleoperated systems on the ground - competitive for
  some applications, but not free, and not anywhere near full
  human capability
4)robots/teloperated systems in space are
	-functionally non-existant in the sense that MAJOR development
	 is required
	-not FREE either. 
	-lacking in the capability to substitute for humans doing 
	 spacelab type work. 

The point that is being made over and over, but that some people 
don't seem to hear is this:

Yes, robots and teleoperated systems have a vital role to play in space.
Yes, as time goes on, they will be used more and more.
Yes, any lunar mines or solar power satellite factories will be crewed
     mainly by robots or teleoperators

But right now, they simply will not do the jobs we need to have done.

Further, at all stages of our advance into space, some humans(and
some here is more than one or two) will be required to control
things and deal with unforseen circumstances.

The current development effort in computers and robotics dwarfs that
in things like spacecraft design by a very large factor. It seems
entirely appropriate for NASA to focus on what others are NOT DOING -
finding out how to live and work in space. In 20 years they can 
buy the robots off the shelf and ship them up to the space station -
IF THERE IS A SPACE STATION. IF THERE IS A SHUTTLE/TAV. If there isn't,
we'll have to wait another ten years while one is built - or more.

It is absolutely irrelevant what a great thing teleoperated devices
might be in 20 years. The question is what do we need to do NOW
so that in 20 years we will be ready to build the lunar mines
and solar power satellites. The Japanese will build the robots
regardless. The space station - the shuttle - these things won't 
just happen.

Dale