I don't think requiring manned module command to operate unmanned craft is a good idea. Like someone already said sending a manned command craft ahead of an unmanned mission feels kind of wrong. Haven't we already have some kind of relay networks these days that just pass the command to the next hop till it reach the craft then the command got executed there? Like in today's internet (or in RT1) If you really think we need some kerbanauts on board the command station, could we at least have a few relay hops before the need of manned module? Like [ KSC ] -> [ Relay probe ] -> [ Relay Probe ] -> [ Manned Command Module ] -> [ Relay Probe ] -> [ Relay Probe ] -> [ Unmanned Craft ]