Voyager 2 was done without management's permission, as you said, while this is quiet deliberately being done by management. I'm not a huge space buff but AFAIK this is maintaining what happened with the mars landers and hopefully continues to happen.
This is a really great precedent for them to set for the future. If you look at a lot of the craft NASA puts up there, they are built with robust enough systems (not needlessly) to allow for almost any form of technical repair and in this instance providing new, unforeseen possibilities with the craft. Besides allowing them to save budget money (something they always need to do) it also help them learn more about providing a little bit extra for other future unforeseens.
Slashdot Mirror
Voyager 2 was done without management's permission, as you said, while this is quiet deliberately being done by management. I'm not a huge space buff but AFAIK this is maintaining what happened with the mars landers and hopefully continues to happen.
So yes, I believe it is a precedent.
This is a really great precedent for them to set for the future. If you look at a lot of the craft NASA puts up there, they are built with robust enough systems (not needlessly) to allow for almost any form of technical repair and in this instance providing new, unforeseen possibilities with the craft. Besides allowing them to save budget money (something they always need to do) it also help them learn more about providing a little bit extra for other future unforeseens.
Come on now, the power was there so the President can protect the faithful!
Its awesome how this must be pointed out for every slashdot article on the mafiaa...