Well, I really hope they actually decide to do this then, as the concept of YAML (Yet Another Mars Lander, also a serialization language) is starting to bore me. Call me jaded, but I'm a bit tired of looking at pictures of dusty red rocks. I'm ready for the Spaceman Spiff landscapes and aliens surely to be found on the moons of the gas giants. Bring it NASA.
Yes I realize the other option detailed in the article is a comet sample return. Meh, some comets do that for free you know? I say at this point, go big or stay on Earth.
>the concept of YAML (Yet Another Mars Lander, also a serialization language) is starting to bore me. Call me jaded, but I'm a bit tired of looking at pictures of dusty red rocks
They aren't doing it for the pictures of rocks, these missions have science goals you know.
Detailed study of dusty red rocks is all fine and dandy, but I don't think anyone is clamoring to land a man on Mars for #ScienceGoals. The most inspiring space achievements have all been trailblazing, and visually iconic. Think of Earthrise from Apollo 8, first Man on the Moon photo from Apollo 11, the lunar rover, the Blue Marble, the Space Shuttle itself, images from Hubble, landing 2 SpaceX rocket boosters at the same time etc. The Viking landings on Mars count too as well as the first rovers, but we're far into diminishing returns territory at this point.
Given the reality of a limited budget, I'd prefer to see those resources spent towards doing something new, more challenging, and more interesting; such as landing on the moons of Jupiter and Saturn (or even a more durable modern lander/drone on Venus). Also I think there is plenty of science to be had on a geologically active moon with a significant atmosphere.
Yes I realize the other option detailed in the article is a comet sample return. Meh, some comets do that for free you know? I say at this point, go big or stay on Earth.