The astronaut corps wanted to say that the Shuttle required a human at the controls.
Since STS-121, the second return-to-flight mission, Shuttles have carried a data cable that would allow the landing gear to be lowered by the flight computer. However, this cable is not installed by default, and would be plugged in only if the crew had to leave.
In 2003, this capability would not have been available to Columbia. If the crew left, then it would have been the end of Columbia.
Since STS-121, the second return-to-flight mission, Shuttles have carried a data cable that would allow the landing gear to be lowered by the flight computer. However, this cable is not installed by default, and would be plugged in only if the crew had to leave.
In 2003, this capability would not have been available to Columbia. If the crew left, then it would have been the end of Columbia.