We have the technology and ability to exploit the resources found on the moon and in the asteroid belt as well as sending a mannedmissiontoMarsto set up a permanent base.
Many sceptics will undoubtedly question why any country would choose to invest in future space exploration, including a mannedmissiontoMars, while there are so many unsolved problems on our planet, from HIV to malaria to poverty.
Some space experts have said that any mannedMarsmission using existing rockets probably would need to have a capsule dock with some type of booster in orbit.