FASTER: Robert Walker of the Presidential Commission on the Future of the United States Aerospace Industry (man, what a mouthful) is talking advanced propulsion, among other things.

He's absolutely right that better propulsion systems could get us to Mars in a matter of weeks rather than months, and that that would make the journey significantly less hazardous. Systems would still have to be reliable for long periods of time, but there would be less of that time spent in space and more of it on the surface in what is arguably a safer, more repair-friendly environment.

On the other hand, are we willing to wait another five, ten, twenty years for such systems to be developed, prototyped, tested, and approved for use, when we already have technology sufficient to get there?

But, at least someone is talking about alternatives -- that's a positive. So long as it doesn't end up being a gold-plated hurdle.

(The Commission's final report is scheduled for publication on November 19.)