What could possibly be found on Mars to make it worth Mankind’s effort to get there? I know engineers like to do these projects just to prove it is possible.
Like the old question to the climber:
Question..Why do you climb this mountain?
Answer..”Because it’s there.”
If it’s because some think we may need to evacuate Earth at some point, then let’s start ‘small’, beginning with our own Moon.
“What could possibly be found on Mars to make it worth Mankind’s effort to get there? I know engineers like to do these projects just to prove it is possible.”
Unclaimed real estate. When living underground (no DNA changes required, BTW) one can make one’s environment as ideal as desired. Which planet matters not at all except for the gravity level. (It may very well be that sleep and exercise quarters will need centrifuge acceleration on Mars if 1/3 gravity isn’t physiologically enough.)
New frontiers are looking awfully good given the state of things here on Planet Earth.
The reality is that untold wealth and opportunity lie beyond Earth’s boundaries. Our technology has just reached the point where we can begin exploiting it.
Nuclear powered spacecraft will really open things up.