Why are robotic missions often argued to generate significant scientific results at a lower expenditure than crewed missions?

Answer

The massive premium paid for human life support systems is not required for robotic explorers

The primary driver behind the lower cost-to-science ratio for robotic missions lies in the enormous logistical overhead required to sustain human life in the hostile environment away from Earth. Crewed missions must include vast, complex, and expensive life support systems designed for guaranteed autonomy across launch, flight, and reentry phases. Robotic probes, conversely, are limited only by the needs of their scientific instruments and operational power requirements. While human intelligence offers unmatched flexibility for on-the-spot decision-making during initial exploratory journeys, critics contend that this flexibility does not justify the massive financial premium associated with keeping astronauts alive and functional across years of deep-space travel.

Why are robotic missions often argued to generate significant scientific results at a lower expenditure than crewed missions?

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