Humanity’s fascination with space exploration shows no sign of diminishing, and the scientific knowledge gained from venturing beyond our planet has proved (0) INVALUABLE. The discovery that water exists in various forms across the solar system has fuelled speculation about 1 life might be found elsewhere. So vast are the distances involved, 2, that even the nearest star system would take thousands of years to reach with current technology. Daunting 3 this reality may be, it has not deterred the growing number of private companies now investing in interplanetary travel. Were the technical challenges of faster-than-light travel ever 4 be overcome, the implications for humanity would be beyond imagination. For the time 5, however, more immediate goals — such as establishing a permanent presence on Mars — are commanding attention. Not only 6 such a mission push the boundaries of engineering and medicine, but it would also provide a crucial testing ground for long-duration habitation. It is these very practical considerations, rather than any romantic notion of adventure, 7 are now driving investment in the sector. Whether the dream of becoming a multi-planetary species will ever 8 realised is a question that may define the coming century.