Quote:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Torplexed
Unfortunately that worthless ball of rock and rust is the most earth-like planet in this entire solar system...
Don't forget Titan. 
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What makes Titan so interesting is that it has an atmosphere and is covered in organic molecules. Despite the fact that it's so cold that methane runs like water and ice is as solid as rock up there, it's actually pretty Earthlike in it's compositions. The same can be said for Venus, but that planet just doesn't have the abundance of organic molecules that Titan has.
As far as Mars goes. It's probably the only other inhabitable planet in our solar system other than Earth with resources that could be exploited and used to sustain life. We should learn as much about it as possible. Also, there is SOME economic gain that can come from planetary exploration. They're always discovering new things about chemistry and physics from studying compounds and penomenon on other planets. A lot of these discoveries CAN have economic benefit, maybe not NOW, but in the long run, probably. Too many people think of the short term. "Where is my cash NOW !!" "How does this help me TODAY ?"
It seems that the corporate minded don't think too much about anything beyond next years financial outlook.
