Why should we spend vest amounts to reach Mars when there is a very high chance of its not providing anything that would improve our lot here on Earth? Why not allocate those billions for "home improvement"? Think of the progress that could be made in curing cancer, AIDS, and other diseases : in cleaning our water, air,and soil : and in feeding hungry nations. Why confront the hazards of outer space when we should be fighting homelessness, poverty and unemployment on Earth?