>This would certainly encourage more businesses to set up in space.
>Perhaps there could even be "anti-trust" regulations requiring such a
>set-up. Perhaps not. What think ye, Oh Fellow Space Wanderers?

I was very heartened to read about Bigelow's concepts for inflatable habs,
because it seemed to be geared toward building small but self-sufficient
habs. With such standarized units, individual companies could launch their
franchise up to an existing site (hotel, resort, ISS), negotiate the hook-up
cost, and become part of the Orbital Mall.

On the other hand how many burgers do you have to sell to afford the $50
million launch costs, plus about that much more in annual costs to keep
staff up there, keep the drink machine stocked, etc.? Bottom line is that
any business that sets up independently in orbit will have to make a lot of
profit per unit sold in order to stay in business. And they'll have to work
hard to keep costs down. I forsee a lot of vending machines, automated
workout coaches,

BradW

In a message dated 2/24/05 6:06:33 PM, epibeemie@... writes:

<<
>This would certainly encourage more businesses to set up in space.
>Perhaps there could even be "anti-trust" regulations requiring such a
>set-up. Perhaps not. What think ye, Oh Fellow Space Wanderers?

I was very heartened to read about Bigelow's concepts for inflatable habs,
because it seemed to be geared toward building small but self-sufficient
habs. With such standarized units, individual companies could launch their
franchise up to an existing site (hotel, resort, ISS), negotiate the hook-up
cost, and become part of the Orbital Mall.

On the other hand how many burgers do you have to sell to afford the $50
million launch costs, plus about that much more in annual costs to keep
staff up there, keep the drink machine stocked, etc.? Bottom line is that
any business that sets up independently in orbit will have to make a lot of
profit per unit sold in order to stay in business. And they'll have to work
hard to keep costs down. I forsee a lot of vending machines, automated
workout coaches,

BradW >>

I seriously doubt that the first hotels castering to the wealthy will have a
Burger King, especially when the stays might be limited to three days. More
likely, it would be a kind of "roughin' it" much like the dude ranchs and the
types. I don't think the families are willing to risk their small children for
the first few years until the costs go down and the industry proves itself
safe first. At first, the children will have same experience with adults . I
think you need at least 500 kids a month before a McDonald's will open.

But I see another way. Instead of a full blow McD's, a hotel might creates a
kind of cafe in which different chains would have a small table or a small
selection on the common meus to order so that the crew and food storage would be
kept small but the varisty of food would be possible for different people.
You might need at least 100 guest before trying that. It's all a matter of
scaling up.

Carl E. Mullin
visionary artist and entrepreneur
homo asteralis
ravenart@...

The more you love, the more you can love-and the more intensely you love.
Nor is there any limit on how many you can love.
If a person had time enough, he could love all of the majority who are decent
and just.
-Robert A. Heinlein (Time Enough For Love)

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