You underestimate humanity if you think the deaths of explorers will stop the exploration. Then again your OP comments include the ever so common misunderstanding that “space is so expensive and has nothing of value to offer”. Ought to look into what our space program did to boost our economy in the 30-40 years after we reached the Moon. It was hugely expensive but it turns out applied research into many broad reaching fields pays off long term. That’s what space exploration is, applied research. Which, so far, pays off more than it costs.