You have a very good point, Raoul.

The more people go into space, the more "normal" and accepted it will be, and the less likely it will be that space budgets will be cut. We tend to cut that which seems remote, impractical or elitist. If manned space flight is a real ambition for more young people, that is, if there are more opportunities to make the trip and work there, it will be familiar, productive and, if not universal, at least attainable by "regular" folks who work hard, just like any other career goal.

Mars is a good goal, to be worked toward steadily, with the idea that operating the ISS provides Earth with a large labor pool of people at least familiar with a few of the conditions that a Mars voyage will entail.

At this point, I just want to be able to keep space travel and exploration in the minds of the kids without immediately invoking images of fireballs and funerals.

Regards--
Mary Anne