I'm not that convinced, it need be as exspensive as made out to be. Sure, if you want 100% guarantees and worry about political fallout or implication at every step of the way. Maybey "that guy" who was or is pushing the Mars Direct program would do a good job cutting costs. No doubt the guy wants to by pass the moon alrogeather, but with private enterprise, I'd put my money on him for a no nonsense aproach that could be done in record time and minimal cost, leaving behind whatever was needed for the next mission and all that.
If money is eveyones reasoning, then maybey we really should go
Mars Direct. I'm 40 now & going by today's progress, I figure I'll be dead before any meaningful achievent in maned explorations is ever made again.
Less ofcourse I disregard all cival/local & international laws on the subject & build my own damn rocket
