Dan Goldin, also Dennis Tito

I know there are no reliable numbers on the cost of a human mission to
Mars (Human Mars Mission or HMM?), but I have heard $ half-a-trillion. And
that such a cost is so high that paying it would exclude most or all other
human missions in space. But, a political difficulty is that to exclude
those who are enthusiastic for HMM from the space supporters would greatly
reduce the already weak political and popular support for all humans
missions in space. Perhaps it meet the objectives of many more groups to
explore (and advocate if justified) the use of lunar resources for HMM. A
mass-driver near a lunar pole might be able to help lower the price of HMM,
Solar Power Satellites (for delivering solar power to Earth), orbiting
tourist hotels (OTH?), and other cis-lunar projects, each of which may have
their own group of advocates. Lets go for win-win situations.
Jay S. Huebner at jhuebn@...