Isn't it accepted that due to the distances involved that this is a fruitless and waste of money exercise? Same reason why we have to date not managed to contact or had contact from any aliens, in astronomy things are measured in light years so 1AU (astronomical unit) so even if we figure out how to travel at close to the speed of light things are still pretty damn far away!
Space is fantastic, I read and watch about it but my gut feeling is that it would be better to use that money for the betterment of the our planet and the people who live on it?
A ride on "The Pink Cadillac", 12 shots in the ass the drip is gone and your ready to go again.....
They may look pretty as Bill Gates found out, but they hide secrets both big and little.