Well, duh. Of course. There are other reasons, population pressure, persecution of certain groups that are willing to uproot and move off world. But, yes, the pursuit of wealth is the most important. I could argue about the economic benefits of exploring Mars but I will not make a case for saddling the taxpayer with this cost.
A more relevant (but still not adequate) example is manned exploration of the moon. WHAT ECONOMIC BENEFIT did manned exploration of the moon bring? Answer none.
Not much, yet. But you cannot be serious if you believe there will NEVER be a way to make money on the moon. Helium 3 is obtainable on the moon and very rare on earth. Unlimited, cheap energy is also available on the moon in the form of unfiltered sunlight. The moon will be a staging area for further space exploration and, possibly, a source of fuel for those explorers. Certain products, using these comparative advantages and low gravity, might be manufactured on the moon.
Antartica(sic)...is thousands of times cheaper to get there than to go into space, and it has AIR. Yet no one wants to colonize it because there isn't anything there that is of economic value.
There might be oil there, and then, I think, you will see things change.
As far as technology development goes - I disagree there too.
You are putting words in my mouth. Read my post. I said they are doing good technology development. I didn't say that the private sector couldn't do it cheaper, better, faster. I think they could. I would like to see NASA closed down in its present form.
And of no value except as a curiosity. There currently exists no use for it.
Unlimited, cheap energy is also available on the moon in the form of unfiltered sunlight.
First off sunlight filtered or not is NOT as unlimited energy source, but rather a low density energy source compared to fossil, hydro and nuclear. Secondly, how do you get it from there to where it's needed?
The moon will be a staging area for further space exploration and, possibly, a source of fuel for those explorers. Certain products, using these comparative advantages and low gravity, might be manufactured on the moon.
Provided that future space exploration is feasible and desirable. This is kind of pie in the sky bye and bye
I didn't say that the private sector couldn't do it cheaper, better, faster. I think they could.
Sory, I thought that is what you meant. On this we agree.