Too many people around here seem to forget about the money aspect of a Mars trip. Boat loads of it to boot. I would suspect these same people do not have any children a house or other financially draining things to contend with. I remember those carefree days.
The day they open their property tax bill after depositing the remains of their pay check due to child support deductions. That is when they will think about the new school levy coming up for a vote the same day the car insurance is due. Oh did I remember to pay the credit card bill? It’s going to be a bit higher this month due to the hospital deductible for little Billy’s cast. Wasn’t there a news article about Mexican women coming across the border just to have their baby so it would be an American citizen? That’s right so they could stay here for a better life. But I get stuck with the bill!

When I was in my twenties I would support tax increases for what I thought would be good causes. And some of that tax might trickle down to NASA. But now I can’t afford any new taxes. And all my vote does in November is get me into the list of the local jury pool candidates.
Sorry unless Spirit or Oppy shows me some bones or a couple of greys I can only support robots to other planets.