Originally Posted by Paul Markham

The big question is why?

The moon landings brought little real profit or advancement. Yes some of the technology used was helpful but it would of been developed anyway.

Putting up satellites orbiting the Earth is profitable and advances civilisation. And they put them up all the time. In fact it's getting crowded up there.

Don't see a Mars trip bringing the same benefits and unless they are there it will be a fad that passes. The robots up there aren't exactly sending back information there's some precious mineral on Mars we need so badly.

Spend the money on climate change and get some good from it.