When the Apollo space capsule was first designed, it was imagined that the astronauts themselves would be in control. “That wasn’t really practical with the technology of the time,” says Professor David Mindell of MIT, “but that’s who [the designers] envisioned would be flying: people who could read those drawings and understand what was going on. Gradually, that knowledge got pushed out to those on the ground.” As communication technology advances, however, it’s raising questions about whether astronauts might someday get more control over their craft. One recent simulation, for example, lets them perform ordinary procedures all the way through without being interrupted for status updates by ground control. That’s because control gets automatic updates from the equipment. Likewise, as astronauts head further away from Earth, delays in communication will expand, requiring them to take more initiative. Head over to IEEE Spectrum for a full piece on the changing relationship between crew and ground.
New technology leads NASA to reevaluate the role of ground control
As NASA tests new methods of communications, it reexamines how to divide control of spacecraft between the on-board crew and ground control.
As NASA tests new methods of communications, it reexamines how to divide control of spacecraft between the on-board crew and ground control.
is a senior tech and policy editor focused on online platforms and free expression. Adi has covered virtual and augmented reality, the history of computing, and more for The Verge since 2011.
Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.
