I think if the cost of sending people to Mars really did fall down to those estimates, then countries themselves will try to send colonists, only because if the

I think if the cost of sending people to Mars really did fall down to those estimates, then countries themselves will try to send colonists, only because if they don't, and others will, then they will "miss out". Imagine if China insisted it wanted to send 10 000 of its people there? I'll wager europeans, americans, russians and indians will want to send at least as much, just not to be exposed as "weaker". It'll certainly be a factor in their decision making at least.