Lunar mission to get the axe...

[razark]

Originally Posted by August

I understand there are also rather severe regulatory restrictions on private space ventures, especially manned ones.

In the US, yes. In other countries, not so much. A private company would be able to conduct operations in any country, and deal with whatever regulation is in place there. It helps keep costs down when you don't have to worry so much about the crew's safety.

As for colonization, we o always use the "Australian model" for colonization of Mars. I'm not sure how much public support we could get for turning Mars into a penal colony, though.