This entire thread is based on the premise that sending humans to Mars is desirable, and we are discussing how best to get there.  The purpose of my comment was to address how NASA should spend its money, not whether it should have the money in the first place.<p>If you would like to discuss de-funding human spaceflight and&#x2F;or NASA, I think there are points for and against both, and would be interested to read your thoughts on the matter.