"We can send unmanned systems where we wouldn't dare to send manned systems, " says Fenton.

FORBES: Robots Of War

Army officials have become particularly intrigued by the development of "optionally manned systems, " according to Aerospace America, including one for Blackhawk helicopters.

WSJ: Could We Trust Killer Robots?

Given that Orion is a manned capsule, these systems would no doubt need to be taken to a new standard of assurance and adapted for deep-space operation, but the proposition seems very well suited to ATV's capabilities.

BBC: Europe ponders future of ATV space truck

Congress has legislated goals for replacing manned military aircraft with unmanned systems, and every major defense contractor is marketing products that contribute to the trend.

FORBES: The Revolution In Unmanned Aircraft Is Overrated

And if the crew assigned to man the deep-space mission travels up separately to the station, it would also mean all the elements for their long-duration flight could be launched without the complications of ultra-safe abort systems that complicate manned rockets.

BBC: Manned flight around Moon considered

The last mission carried all the equipment necessary for manned flight and tested life-support systems.

BBC: NEWS | Science/Nature | China space mission 'on track'

Terry Fogarty, in charge of unmanned systems at Kaman, says that the single-pilot-manned K-MAX can be flown up to 12 hours a day on logging operations, requiring a change of pilots.

ECONOMIST: Autonomous helicopters

This concept emphasizes the ability of new weapons, sensors, and unmanned systems to expand the reach, capability and persistence of our current manned ships and aircraft.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Section IV: Building a Two-MRC Force for the 21st Century