Astronauts on Mars

I must express my deep disappointment in a statement in your Aug. 8 editorial, “NASA: Fewer and Better.” The statement, “It should begin by scrapping ridiculously unworkable plans like sending astronauts to Mars, which could cost up to $30 billion,” shows The Times’ shortsightedness. The $30 billion would be spent over an extended period of time, probably around 15 years, resulting in a cost of less than $10 per year for each U.S. citizen.

Concerning the “ridiculously unworkable plan,” it’s a good thing that The Times was not advising the Spanish royalty in 1492. Are you afraid that the astronauts will fall off the edge of the Earth?

GLEN GRIFFITH

Westminster