NASA adopts the best of Zubrin's ideas, eventually

[Russel]

Its nice to see relative outsiders have some influence on NASAs thinking and I'd like to see more of that. So whilst I have some respect for Zubrin, and I love some of his ideas, I don't necessarily agree with the obsession that we must do it now, with today's tech.

I'm very much in favour of going to Mars and doing so in an orderly and thorough manner. And to some extent doing it in style with a reasonable amount of margin.

I'll also comment (since I'm from Australia) that I don't necessarily see NASA as being the agency that is primarily responsible for going to Mars (though I'm sure they will have a big part). Yes I know that every space agency has it culture. And the enthusiasts also have their obsessions too. But it would be nice to think that before we go to Mars that we've had time for every interested party to put every idea on the table and come up with an architecture that has been thoroughly thought through.

[JulesVerneATV]

Renowned Mars expert says Trump-Musk axis risks dooming mission

https://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Renowned_Mars_expert_says_Trump-Musk_axis_risks_dooming_mission_999.html