We're going to wrap up our live blog coverage of Nasa's conference on Mars. Here's a summary of where things stand:

• Nasa called for full funding for its Mars mission to put humans on the red planet in the 2030s. That means $821m for FY 2014, out of a provisional Nasa budget (in the president's proposal) of $17.7bn.

• Nasa defended its mission to capture an asteroid as the fastest way to build on current space exploration experience and to advance toward the goal of a Mars landing. But the sense in the room is that the asteroid mission could be a distraction or detour.

• To go to Mars, Nasa must establish infrastructure including reliable life support, communications and navigation systems. Astronauts must also figure out how to lift off from the red planet after an extended stay. Fuel storage is another concern.

The technology to build and maintain all those systems is currently in place, tech director Michael Gazarik said, but more practical experience is needed.