And nothing of value would have been lost in the event of a catastrophic launch failure.

Unfortunately the delta-v requirements for a solar "landing" are already absurd (think having an entire Saturn V in orbit, and that still not being enough). How about conscripting them into being the brave astronauts on the Voyager 3 mission, where they will journey aimlessly outside of our solar system? A rocket capable of putting a man on Mars would be very easily capable of yeeting a man out of the solar system.