re: # 3..Meet The Neighbours: Valid question.
"Is the search for aliens such a good idea?"
Not to speak for everyone here, but I'm sure that question has come up. It has for me. Interesting thing is that it may have even come up to homosapiens as well, yet, here we are.
Whether we may encounter beings from the 'V' series or those from 'Contact', I don't think humans will ever stop trying to find another habitable planet. It may save our existance someday.
As for answering Phils question, I have to agree with Buck, although I'm hopeful that man will still be alive by 2525 and yes, I think we may find extraterrestrial life out there before then. Intelligent, transient life, I'm not so sure.