Hum, like we should be surprised by your cluelessness...

Rand is an Aerospace Engineer. You're not. He is aware of EELVs and actually knows how they work. I suspect you don't.

I don't think you know much about the "Centers of Excellence" Rand criticizes either, nor what would be done if we went back to competition. Manned Mars missions would be a very small part of Rand's interests. He would like us to lower launch costs and use space tourism as a means to the industrialization of space. Mars takes a very low priority with him.

As to you being "in favor of a strong US space sector, and doing what it takes to keep it that way" what a joke! All you are doing is showing how completely clueless you are and possibly scaring away anyone serious about impactor dangers with your "chicken little the sky is falling" BS!!!

--Chris Vancil