I have a new theory for space exploration. Rather than spending billions constructing flimsy probes which may or may not reach the required planet, all we need is a cat flap to Mars.
Consider: a sealed laboratory containg a cat, a cat flap to Mars, and a big pile of clean laundry (preferably white). Within no time the clean laundry will be home to every single Martian rock and soil sample that a scientist could desire, and the vocalisations of the cat on returning would provide valuable information as to precisely how cold/wet/mouseless Mars is. Simples!