[mapuc]

Originally Posted by Oberon

Or just drop all the equipment to build a base and the machinery to do it with, most of it can and will be automated anyway.
Besides, the first visit to Mars will be just like the first one to the Moon, one small step, one giant flag and then back home to Earth with some Mars rock and a lifetime of fame ahead of them.
After that will come the colonies...and boy, is that going to be an exciting and interesting time for humanity. Both scientifically and morally, lots of questions to be answered in the future, about our place in the solar system, about the control of Mars and the resources upon it, about artificial intelligence and the future of mankind.

If you get a chance, read Kim Stanley Robinsons 'Mars' trilogy...and perhaps, watch this video:
http://vimeo.com/108650530

I seem to recall that these astronaut can't return at once, if I'm not remembering wrong they have to stay on Mars for some month or so

Markus