Is the discovery of two planets(Kepler 69e and 69f) orbiting within the goldilocks zone of the star Kepler 69 powerful motivation for humanity to become a space faring species?
Crap,62. Shame I can't edit questions in the same way as answers.
The discovery of the Keppler planets raises the probability of other habitable zone planets existing. I wasn't suggesting travel to Kepler specifically and certainly not in the near future,but rather eventually.
Beasticus Tofudii
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I don't think so. As interesting as a discovery as this is -- one of them is the most Earth-like planet yet found -- at 1200 light years away it's too far away for feasible travel with current technology.
Also they are considered "Earth like" because they are rocky and within their star's estimated habitable zone, where water can be liquid. But that's all we know. They could be very unlike Earth for other reasons, such as runaway greenhouse gases, making them more like Venus.
A cool discovery to be sure, but it doesn't change that much really.
And I think you meant Kepler 62e and 62f. 69c was also announced today and may be Earth-like.
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Eventually, absolutely.
Considering the growing population
and Earth's limited resources,
space exploration should be
one of our top priorities.
That new fusion-driven engine
looks very promising.
And after that, who knows.
Thing is, we shouldn't stop progressing
simply because the near future seems bleak..
veekay
Am I the only dumbarse who's going to say something stupid like "f**K, here come teh klingons?"