This is speculation, and my opinion only, but . . . Astronauts are highly intelligent individuals with science and engineering backgrounds, so I doubt that the

This is speculation, and my opinion only, but . . . Astronauts are highly intelligent individuals with science and engineering backgrounds, so I doubt that they were/are against technology and automation, per se. However, they also generally have pilot, particularly test pilot, backgrounds. The shuttles could not be considered mature technology by any stretch, so I suspect that the astronauts felt more comfortable being personally in control of a vehicle that could kill them than relying on an automated system. Despite (or rather because of) the fact that they work with the most cutting edge technology, test pilots are some of the most conservative people you will find. They need to be that way to stay alive.