[dave78]

I'm very aware of why it initially broke up. But once that started, the range safety officer did activate the FTS system.

The point is that rockets carrying crew do indeed have FTS systems - presence of a crew doesn't negate that need.

[ben_w]

The SRBs (and the EFTs) had FTS's, but the Orbiters didn't.

[BobaFloutist]

>the range safety officer did activate the FTS system.

That doesn't sound very automatic.