Originally Posted by mikesouth

that depends on how you define the "near future" we have some HUGE hurdles first is the whole radiation thing, then comes the length of the trip, not saying it cant be done but we are talking 40-50 years out minimum and more likely a lot longer. In ecological terms thats certainly the near future in lifetime terms...not so much

methane is rather common in space Jupiter has a moon that has many liquid methane lakes.....while i wouldnt argue that there is an abundance of life beyond earth I would argue that life is the main source of methane