Mars

I gather that one would be on Mars for about 18 months before everything was lined up for the trip back. (Might have mis heard that though.)

Why the hell should we start messing with another planet when we can't even look after this one properly ?

Because we have an instinctive need to explore and discover.

Space, the final frontier! Space movies are the modern Westerns.

Just how much could we do for the planet with the money this is costing? We're the only animals on this planet that destroy the eco system.

I don't know about that crimson I've seen some cows looking a bit guilty.

I do agree though that the cost involved could surely be put to better use.

crimson good point.

Wouldn't be so many cows if we didn't breed them for food/milk etc. Everything in nature tends to balance itself out until we get involved .[visions of a trumpy cow looking embarrassed ].....

crimson I'm not at all sure that "everything in nature tends to balance itself out" unless you mean that it swings from one extreme to another. One year masses of snowshoe hares, the next masses of snow leopards but far fewer hares, etc.