> The developments associated with such a program would be of incalculable value to humanity Compared to what? The cuts to medical and other research necessary

> The developments associated with such a program would be of incalculable value to humanity Compared to what? The cuts to medical and other research necessary to pay for the incalculable money pit that Mars exploration is? In fact, fund research that has some value for humanity now and some of it will be useful for planetary missions in the future, whenever it's possible to do it without strain. It's insane to waste public money on boondoggles for billionaires, they can fund their Mars missions themselves. Bon Voyage!