In 50 years, mankind will become capable of discovering potentially inhabited planets as it develops new astronomical instruments that will allow scientists to analyze the planets’ physical characteristics. This is according to Stefan Udry, Swiss astrophysicist and the discoverer of the Earth’s nearest exoplanet.
“I think we will have ways to get a hint on the inhabitance of planets. We will be able to find potentially habitable planets as well as planets already hosting life – those we want to reach. However, this is a long way we are talking about – around 50 years from now.
Source:
http://www.interstellar-news.net/2015/08/more-habitable-planets-in-50-yrs-earths.html