How do you figure we are close to bringing a meaningful amount of life to other planets? Just because we have the ability to put a few people on Mars like we di

How do you figure we are close to bringing a meaningful amount of life to other planets? Just because we have the ability to put a few people on Mars like we did the Moon if we focus on it doesn't mean those three to six people will be able to create a civilization. They'll get back on there ship and head home. I realize becoming a true space fairing civilization may follow an exponential curve but were so far down on the curve with no guarantee of exponential progress that I wouldn't bet any amount of money that mattered on someone four generations from me being able to life in space or on another planet with no support from earth.