Why send people into space when robotic spacecraft usually cost less?
A. Humans and robots each have their own special roles in space. Robots are best qualified for missions that require precise, repetitive measurements or maneuvers, and for missions that last for a long time, such as trips to the outer planets. Humans remain better equipped than robots for tasks that involve analytical decision-making or constant adjustments. By launching humans into space, we also gain unique insights into the workings of the human body, many of which are masked or changed by gravity when a person is on the Earth. To find out more about sending humans into space, please visit the Web site below.
