[aristus]

As I understand it, it was not literally the last thing holding back. But NASA worries about everything and we have centuries of examples of remote missions failing because of medical problems that could not be solved in the field. Billions of dollars, tens of years, and a ship full of lives can't be risked on a 3mm pebble if it can possibly be prevented.

[hanniabu]

> we have centuries of examples of remote missions failing

decades*

[kstrauser]

I assume they’re including sailing ships dealing with scurvy, and things like that. We haven’t been in space very long, but we’re a species of explorers.

[morkalork]

The Franklin Expedition of 1845 comes to mind. There were even theories about new-ish technology (tinned food) accidentally poisoning the crew with lead.

[ToValueFunfetti]

Depends on how broadly you define "remote missions"