In fairness DH it SciStudent's first post. (S)He clearly saw an item that interested them and responded. I will ask this of SciStudent - where on Earth )or MArs) did you source a $600 billion budget? I say crap. What do you say?
Now the measure is at 60 times, we could have gone to mars 60 times instead of spending 3 trillion on war! NASA and Mars direct found 50 Billion would be the nominal price.