Raoul,

You claimed Apollo was not flags and footprints based on it's science results. Why would you expect a Mars mission over a year long to have less science results? I thought you and I were using a similar definition for the term. Is there some other basis for your claim that the first mission won't define whether it is flags or footprints?

As for how many missions there will be Apollo, lasted 6 or 7 if you count A13. Mars seems to have more interest and the costs for a second mission after all the development would be negligible. Even a 1.5 year long mission will be limited in area compared to the whole planet.

The Moon was abandoned because the cost outweighed the interest. Everyone willing to blow money on any path to space based on the political flavor of the moment needs to keep that in mind. The best path is one that combines low political resistance with relatively low cost. It may well be impossible to get the optimum for both categories to coincide so space advocates need to be flexible, but not gullible.

Regards,
Marks