Will mankind finally establish a beach head off this planet?

Anyone here paying attention to the revived thrust back out into Space? Back in 1969 the Americans landed men on the moon, then lost interest and never went back. Well , Japan and China have probes on the way to the moon and India will be launching one soon. China is planning to land a man on the moon in 2020, the same year America plans to set up a permanent habitation there. (Though I've heard damn little about that program since Bush announced it, anyone here know what's going on with that?) Considering the enormous cost of such programs I'm wondering what's behind it all? I don't think it's about Prestige alone which was the motive which was behind America's first moon shot. And I don't think the hard-nosed B*stards who run those countries have the slightest interest in Science or any sense of wonder at the Universe. Still, I'm all for putting the guys who build missiles onto work that doesn't involve blowing up the planet. DaveGood PS... Republicans support Bush's plan to put a man on Mars.. And the Democrats will support it if that man is Bush