We know a lot about the martian environment. But there is much more to know. i think we should first isolate the factors common to earth and mars. Then we should try to simulate the conditions on mars. we will succeed to a lesser degree at first.. we should make a thorough study of mars. I think as Mars does not have magnetic field its atmosphere is stripped off due to solar winds. there is again a question of low gravity. a thin atmosphere. not adequate amount of atmospheric pressure. Till then mars will only remain academic curiosity. atleast we can build space stations around the planet we want to inhabitate in the future. we can certainly develop laboratories in space and on the moonn and mars. we have a long way to go. Till then the question is " how do we finance a mission to mars"?. the finance should be sustainable and probably tenable. any clues?