Well,, another billion dollars shot off into space. At least we hit this one dead center.
Nope; just some metal and plastic stuff.
ALL the money involved stayed right here on Earth.
Actually the “billion dollars” has not been shot off into space.
The money is in the pockets of those working for the companies that put the mission together.
Not exactly a waste but maybe better off in other WORKER’S pockets.
Going to Mars is, in my opinion, an exploratory mission to confirm that what scientists and “astrophysicists” have determined about Mars, its atmosphere, gravity and all is accurate.
For those who say that we may need to “escape” to Mars in the event that Earth is doomed: Earth’s doom will follow our Sun’s doom. There will be no place to go to when that happens. Forget other Solar systems, they are too far away.