Really?

[pimplyteen]

20 billion for a rocket to another planet. We've destroyed this one, so lets send a load of junk to another.

[davebro]

Probably be off until the space program invents a new glue to seal up the cracks. Then the eco protestors can use it to glue themselves to whatever takes their fancy! Progress!

[New Judge]

Hopefully they will glue themselves to the rocket! :-)

[Atheist]

Why do potentially interesting posts like this always descend into silly comments?
TTT; the moon can be called a planet if one wishes (don't nit-pick).
Referring to glue protesters is just silly.
You should be ashamed of yourselves for trying to trivialise an important issue.

[New Judge]

What's the important issue, the space project or people gluing themselves to things?

[ichkeria]

Ultimately the objective is Mars, so technically planet is correct, possibly accidentally.

I must say, the original question wasn't worded in a particularly serious or adult way so the chances were always that things would go further downhill.

[ToraToraTora]

ich: "Ultimately the objective is Mars, so technically planet is correct, possibly accidentally. " - they are going to the moon, that is a satellite. That's what the OP is about. Anyone who does not know the difference between a planet and a satellite should not be posting in Science.

[ichkeria]

I was being kind :-)

[ToraToraTora]

ich, kinder than she would have been to you.