re: Is the Aerospace Industry Ready for Mars . . . ?
JPL is now known for it's success in robotics (MER!) yes, but I'm sure that they are capable of much more. Seems to me that there are some very good ideas that have come out of the JPL/CalTech/Cornell partnership so why not recruit some of those professional minds (professors) and the up and coming ones (students) to bring forth some fresh ideas to other areas? They have also used the know how and manufacturing facilities of many private companies. Everyone benefits and should.
Good article.