re: Science
The public doesn't understand science, perhaps.
If it didn't on the Moon, then I'm afraid it won't on Mars.
Perhaps, if there's extant life on Mars, it will.
But then, if life is found there, there are several possible scenarios:
The excitement will last 2 weeks and it will be over.
Voices will require our presence on Mars to be minimal in such a way as not to disturb the Mars environment and study what more life forms can be found, perhaps current ones.
Raoul