> I can look at pictures of Machu Picchu on Google Maps but the experience of being there is so much better (from what I hear). Right, but you can't even look

> I can look at pictures of Machu Picchu on Google Maps but the experience of being there is so much better (from what I hear). Right, but you can't even look at pictures of these other planets because we haven't gone at all. And if your choice was between spending $4T to go to Macchu Picchu yourself, or look at pictures on Google Maps for free - you would almost certainly not spend $4T "for the experience". The reality is - Nasa estimates it would cost $4B for another manned moon mission. India just sent a lunar probe to the moon for about 1/100th that price. Even if we could send someone to Saturn - the price would be more prohibitive than the chemistry. If it costs 100-1000 times more to send humans than robots - it's probably not worth it.