What do you see as being the long term goal of space exploration, both human and robotic? Colonisation of other worlds?

Question: What do you see as being the long term goal of space exploration, both human and robotic? Colonisation of other worlds? Terraforming?
- Keywords:
  colonise,
  exploration,
  future,
  goal,
  human,
  planet,
  robotic,
  terraforming,
  world
Asked by kraknor to Sheila on 16 Mar 2011 in Categories: Space.
- Sheila Kanani answered on 16 Mar 2011:
  
  Great question, as space exploration has to have proper long term goals because it just takes so long to get anywhere! It took Cassini 7 years to get to Saturn, for example.
  In my opinion for robotic missions our long term goals should be learning whatever we can about space and where we came from and where we will end up. Humans love to learn and we will never change!
  In terms of human missions it is a bit tougher. So far we’ve only made it to the Moon so colonising another planet is a long way off. And I’m not sure I like the idea of terraforming even though it could be necessary in the future. I guess if we ruin Earth enough we will have to move eventually!
  Human missions are great for inspiring the next generations and actually humans can do a lot more in terms of discovery than a robot can. So I would like us to get to visit as many other planets as possible really. Getting to Mars first would be my goal, and that is a pretty long term goal for now!

Question: What do you see as being the long term goal of space exploration, both human and robotic? Colonisation of other worlds? Terraforming?