>> Also also, this isn't the flaw I was thinking
>>of, and I'm not convinced that this *is* a flaw
>>in itself, so everyone better keep looking :-)
>
> Okeydoke, try this on for size. If the Envoy
>ship is so entirely automated and restrictive in
>its mission, such that the program cannot be
>modified on an as-needed basis, nor the ship's
>communications to the outside world altered in
>any way -- what is the point in having ANY
>humans on board as "ambassadors", let alone
>THREE humans?

Oooh, so close. You're on the right path, though--keep thinking along those lines.

The "reason" behind the humans I can explain in email, if you want, so as not to post too many spoilers. But if you read the conversation between the three of them at the end, Craig nails down the reason to put humans on the ship.