Why don't they just use the same heat shields they used before on the other mars rovers. And if they did, what material costs that much for such a relatively small thing. NASA is great and all, but it seems to me they use money wastefully. They try improving on things that we already know work perfectly fine. Then, if the improvements turn out to be faulty or not up to standards, they wasted money on those improvements and they have to reimprove on it. I understand the significance of the new Mars Rover project, but it almost makes me think it's not worth the costs.

Nasa should open up there buisiness to the entire world and recieve from mutli continents. I am sure many countries would be willing to put in the money; If not more then whats needed, to get it done right the first time, and mabye something a lil extra.