Space technology rank as the pioneer of technology evolution in the world. All of our household item are the result of development of space technology. Non-stick coating on our frying pan, wireless communication, television, GPS, ball pen, etc. Imagine a world without satelite and everything run on wire.

Please don't bring in world war, oil price, virus, politics into this thread... It's a discussion about the potential of space travel. (no offense). All things start with one small step at a time. I still remember when the first colour LCD was launch, it was just 256-bit colour depth, a resolution so small it only fits mobile phone. Back then, it drain battery like nothing. But it was a huge step in display technology, when we finally switch from 2-tone LCD to colour. For techie, those are really front end technology. Even now, the general E&E master graduates can't even write a code to display words on 2-tone LCD.

Back to the topic, if they can maintain constant acceleration, say half a g, it would prevent any weightless health syndrome. I'll say it's a go. 10 years from now, the technology would probably be on the road!! That's why space development is important.

There is an alternative energy method, which is much superior than nuclear, and it doesn't emit radioactive wave. It's call fusion technology. The disadvantage is that, if uncontrolled, it may end up consume everything. An even better option is cold fusion, which eliminate that risk. The only challenge is that it require extremely high start-up energy, once it start, it takes little energy to maintain.

The whole idea of space exploration isn't just about finding habitatable environment for human race. But also about discovering other civilization, hoping to learn about their evolution, and perhaps some useful technology/history which could help us. Mars exploration means a lot. By understanding simple thing like how the weather changes, planet movement, it could help us to understand earth better.

Research still go on in small institution, like university research, except that at small scale. It's still in development, except that it's not that transparent to public.

I haven't been following fusion news for 2-3 years already, I guess my info no longer vaild. hehe But anyway, I believe research is an on-going process at various university, just that it lack of publicity because it was not funded. Lack of fund doesn't mean research can't proceed, just that the development is more incline to theory, simulation and stuff like that. Maybe it's just me, but I do wish to get to know more about Mars in my lifetime. Pardon my optimistism.

Anyway, that is just my 2 cents.