Originally posted by Skuzzy
Understanding the origins of the planets in this solar system will go a long way to narrow the search for potential other planets that might hold or support life.
I consider that a worthwhile endeavor as there will come a time we will need to bail from this planet.
The real problem was trying to save money on the project as NASA has little to spend on things these days. It was a good idea and would have worked, but...stuff happens.
Skuzzy, you and I will be long gone before we have ANY mastery of space flight, much less interplanetary space flight.
I used to be a big believer in the space program but with a series of remarkable failures, and what seems like useless conclusions, it really seems like a waste of money.
What do I care if there was life on Mars 1 million years ago?
I know there is life in the USA today and I'd rather use the money to wipe out poverty in this country, or give veterans better benefits, or pay our police and fireman and soldier better.
This is an old argument that I find myself on a new side of, but it seems we have so many problems with this world, we need to focus our resources on it first.
An exception would be research to benefit medical sciences, in my opinion.