Automation versus Manual Testing

Automation of high production, high complexity, and high speed testing is often of obvious worth. The use of automation by the “popular” space programs has developed techniques that warrant consideration of systems previously considered to be incompatible with automatic testing, either because of testing difficulty or cost. Manual testing is still a requirement in the developmental testing phase of many programs. It is also an established requirement in many factory level tests. The complete systems approach involving the total mission requirements for factory through launch (or other use) sequence will enable the logical selection of the correct testing elements, both automatic and manual.