Some scientists think they're likely to find an earth-like planet in the neighborhood (i.e., within a few light years) in the next decade or two. Obviously, it would be pretty neat if they do, but I think that they're indulging in a little wishful thinking here:

Levinson says he believes the knowledge that another Earth exists will lead to a public clamor for more powerful space propulsion systems, ones that can carry probes to other stars in a few decades. ''I think that will be the real start of the space age, and everything we've done from the 1950s until now will be seen as a prelude,'' he says.

I see no reason to believe this. There are a number of interesting planets in our own solar system that we need better propulsion to explore properly, and there's been no notable public clamor for that. He's going to have to look for a different motivation, and source of funds, if he wants to see starships. I think it will be done privately.

I don't think the public will clamor for any kind of significant increase in space funding until a Star-Trek-like planet is found. The average Joe doesn't give a rat's ass if Europa has life on it, but show him a planet with groovy oceans or cool looking mountains and he might stop watching the Laci trial for a couple of minutes. Trouble is, after you find that nifty Earth-like planet, the public stops caring until you top it with a planet that has green skinned women that we can turn into sex-slaves or housekeepers that work for less money than illegal Mexican immigrants...kind of gives the term "illegal aliens" a new twist, no?

And that would be where capitalism comes in...