I worked for a major aerospace company over 25 years ago. I was part of the team preparing the annual long range plan . Most of the business plan concerned winning government contracts.
My part was the longer range plan on how we would grow in 20+years.
I told the room full of executives, “We have the capability to build capsules and spacecraft for missions spanning months as well as the launch vehicles and upper stages required.
Trips to and from some near Earth asteroids are possible in weeks. We can sell trips to those asteroids for companies, countries, and wealthy entrepreneurs to claim them. Later to mine them.
We can create a Land Rush to space as others decide they want to claim and mine the limited number of near Earth objects.
All of the miners seeking gold did not get rich, but the guys selling shovels and supplies did quite well. We can make money selling rides for a few billion each.”
They did not throw me out of the room. They understood that delta Vee to an asteroid is less than that required to land on Luna.
My plan was adopted.
Excellent!
Time out...
Twenty five years have passed.
Where is the beef?