Luckily we didn't require a manned vessel to advance the science!
More debunking of the requirement of direct manned presence to explore. Teleoperation should be at the forefront of our mars/moon exploration plans. Until we understand how to "live off the land", mitigate the hazards, and have ready built bases, we have no business doing manned missions. Al that prep work can be done with teleoperation of rov's.