Consider that the same money could have paid several times over for a Mars Direct style program and permanent stay on Mars. The key to Mars (as opposed to the M

Consider that the same money could have paid several times over for a Mars Direct style program and permanent stay on Mars. The key to Mars (as opposed to the Moon) is being able to make your fuel from the Martian atmosphere, with an input of (solar?) power and some materials brought from Earth (5-25% of total mass). That means vastly cheaper upper stage, allowing for a for a continuous presence for a fraction of the Shuttle budget. More here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDWvsdEYSqg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDWvsdEYSqg Also, a presentation on Mars Direct http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T52-Qu78TjQ&feature=BFa&list=PLB6267A7EB77E4A89 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T52-Qu78TjQ&feature=BFa&#...