Has anyone heard anything about the types of crews which will fly the CEV? What will be the ratio of pilots versus specialists on ISS flights and will that be the same for the lunar flights?
Personally I would like to see one pilot, one engineer and the rest being specialists on ISS flights. Lunar flights would probably require 2 pilots (one to fly the CEV, the other to fly the lander). It would be interesting if NASA begins to categorize astronauts in the Russian tradition of pilots, engineers and researchers.
I don't know anything definitive but I'll give my take on your question. I don't think it will be necessary to deviate from the CDR/PLT + specialists config to operate the CEV and lander on sortie missions. The CEV and LSAM are going to be automated as much as possible anyway. It isn't hard to imagine just two astronauts overseeing launch, (un)docking with LSAM, lunar landing (which will be automated), and everything in between.
oscar71 - 30/8/2006 3:35 PM
Has anyone heard anything about the types of crews which will fly the CEV? What will be the ratio of pilots versus specialists on ISS flights and will that be the same for the lunar flights?
Personally I would like to see one pilot, one engineer and the rest being specialists on ISS flights. Lunar flights would probably require 2 pilots (one to fly the CEV, the other to fly the lander). It would be interesting if NASA begins to categorize astronauts in the Russian tradition of pilots, engineers and researchers.
They already do categorize the astronauts: pilots, missions specialists and payload specialists. The CEV will have two pilots and the rest are station crew members.