[Constantine XIII]

Well, we don't build roads to Japan for the same reason we don't build them to the moon. However, we do have infrastructure to simplify getting there, namely harbors and airports.

Also, we likely won't make trips outside of Mars's orbit until we develop fusion power. However, there are a wealth of resources in our relative back yard. Cruithne is a mostly metallic asteroid in orbit of earth, for example. There are hundereds of other asteroids VERY near the earth's orbit, which are themselves enough reason to have some capacity to move about in space. It is estimated that you and I have about the same chances of dying in an asteroid impact during the length of our lives as we do that of dying in a plane crash. (Several ways to look at that, to be sure :) ) Of course, if we can land on the things and mine them for useful materials that are virtually non-existant on earth but plentiful in space, like irridim, we would likely have the technical capability to scoot the suckers around, too.

[from occupied ga]

Also, we likely won't make trips outside of Mars's orbit until we develop fusion power.

Fusion power has always been just a few years away. However, I don't expect it to be used for anything except making very loud noises anytime soon.

, if we can land on the things and mine them for useful materials that are virtually non-existant on earth but plentiful in space like irridim

You science fiction fans are somewhat self-contradictory. One one hand you say there are all these economic benefits of stuff to be had in space, but on the other you are adamant that the government rob the rest of us to get there because it's too expensive for private enterprise to get to space.