Unlimited solar energy at several times the power/square meter available on Earth’s surface, unlimited resources, no environment to pollute, no natives, gravity level of our choosing via rotating habitats, non-corrosive environments, low delta V to get anywhere in the inner Solar System....lots of benefits.
Oxygen? Lunar regolith and near Earth asteroids loaded with it. Carbon? Lots of carbonaceous chondrites with abundant hydrocarbons. Smelting? Just focus sunlight using mirrors to get any desired temp.
Yes, it is challenging, but so was the ocean for early humans. Look what we do now with deep ocean drill ships.
It’s an engineering and finance problem, not a technology problem.
In addition to being an aerospace engineer, I got a masters in Econ. I learned to look at the long run.
In the long run, humans WILL colonize space. The current question is if you have to learn Mandarin to get a job there.
Agreed. What is clear is the need for a self sustainable spacesuit. A means to strip the o2 from cow. Something that requires energy. Probably a lot of energy.
Agreed. What is clear is the need for a self sustainable spacesuit. A means to strip the o2 from co2. Something that requires energy. Probably a lot of energy.