> To cut the signal delays, have on the moon or Mars, right where the data is collected, robots, not humans. The robots require humans to process that data the

> To cut the signal delays, have on the moon or Mars, right where the data is collected, robots, not humans. The robots require humans to process that data the robots collect. Thus, either the robots need to transmit that data to the nearest humans or return to the nearest humans. That takes a heck of a lot longer when the nearest humans are all the way back on Earth. > Instead, each experiment is planned for, with the instruments designed, built, and tested, and everything done very carefully all in advance. That advance planning is necessary specifically because of the sheer distances between the robots and the humans. Cut that distance, and suddenly you don't need nearly as much advance planning for even the most basic of experiments. > Instead I'm talking current NASA, etc. policy, objectives, planning, etc. And current NASA is pursuing the feasibility of space habitation for the exact reasons I've described above. They are making do with robotic exploration in the meantime, but it's a stopgap until we do manage to send humans beyond Earth and keep them there. > I'm not buying the claims that humans are so foolish, evil, destructive, etc. that they have to plan a future on other planets. I'm guessing you haven't been keeping up with climate science, then? Shit's kinda already fucked, in case you weren't aware.