A Colony on Mars

I just saw an article on Wired stating that billionaire Elon Musk wants to build a colony on Mars with 80,000 colonists.  Interesting in the recent developments in rocket technology which would bring down costs of launching people into space.  A mention of risk aversion in the aerospace industry makes it clear that the attitude to space flight needs to change from current timid approach to more pioneering attitude.  This is space flight!  There are risks involved.  Paradoxically, as more risk is taken at the beginning, it will iron out kinks and lessen risk in the long run, a la the airplane industry.