However, the key issue still seems to me to be a directionless play it safe program. That has been a massive failure and waste of taxpayer money. I agree the effects of intermediate g should be a top priority. However I believe the effects of 0 g and mitigation strategies have been sufficiently documented to make the 2.5 year mission to Mars a reasonable goal. Set our sites on Mars and immediately evaluate the impact of 0.38 g. If it is as bad as 0 g abandon the idea of sending humans beyond Earth orbit and focus instead on robotic exploration or settle for short term near Earth projects which will incrementally improve our 0 g adaption technology. We should know this already, but a focus on 0 g rather than Mars g because it has never been an official target has prevented this. We knew far less about the dangers of going to the Moon when we committed to it. I agree that 20 year plans are unrealistic. We should be shooting for a lot sooner given a much smaller technology gap than existed when we aimed for the Moon.

Regards,
Mark