On Thursday, May 17, 2018 at 2:01:22 AM UTC-6, RichA wrote:

So why not contract a drone mfg instead of (likely) spending $20 for every $1
the experienced manufacturer would? Isn't that what Space-X is all about?

1) A commercial drone manufacturer might fail to understand the terms of the
contract, and supply a drone that wouldn't work on Mars.

2) There are commercial drone manufacturers in the United States?

I don't think this is like Parker Pen, and the pressurized ballpoint.

John Savard