Report: Apollo 8 astronaut says going to Mars is 'stupid'

Apollo 8 astronaut Bill Anders talks about astronaut Neil Armstrong following private services for Armstrong, Friday, Aug. 31, 2012, in Cincinnati. Portman gave the eulogy at the service. Hundreds of people attended a closed service for Armstrong Friday at a private club in suburban Cincinnati. A national memorial service has been scheduled for Sept. 12 in Washington. Armstrong died Aug. 25 at age 82. (AP Photo/Al Behrman) less Apollo 8 astronaut Bill Anders talks about astronaut Neil Armstrong following private services for Armstrong, Friday, Aug. 31, 2012, in Cincinnati. Portman gave the eulogy at the service. Hundreds of people ... more Photo: Al Behrman Photo: Al Behrman Image 1 of / 60 Caption Close Report: Apollo 8 astronaut says going to Mars is 'stupid' 1 / 60 Back to Gallery

The BBC reports that former NASA astronaut Bill Anders, who was the lunar module pilot of Apollo 8 in December 1968, says the United States should not send humans to Mars.

RELATED: NASA's InSight Lander touches down on Mars

In an interview with BBC Radio, the 85-year-old former astronaut said he supports the "remarkable" unmanned missions, "mainly because they're much cheaper." But added that neither funding nor public support warrants human missions to the Red Planet.