Yes this is the kind of thing I am thinking also. Why do we have to do one "big trip" to mars? It would be better to set up the infrastructure in space and on t

Yes this is the kind of thing I am thinking also. Why do we have to do one "big trip" to mars? It would be better to set up the infrastructure in space and on the moon etc to support future missions further out. Basically, why can't we get to mars incrementally on the current budget? Things like putting a base on the moon, landing supplies on mars, putting a lander in orbit around mars...