We have billions of dollars. USA already is experts at making complex, reliable and complicated hardware with complex manufacturing processes.
Why can't we just craft that hardware we need in bulk? We have billions of dollars in funding. Make a factory production out of it.
Why don't we send 300 mars rovers? We can make 5000 tanks. We can build 5000 fighter jets. Why do we just build one rover?
My impression with astronomy is it has nowhere near the fervor or seriousness that defense has. Why are we not dumping supply ships in the moon in anticipation of colonization?