The information provided will keep me busy for quite awhile.

I never had doubts that it can be done, from a technological
perspective. My doubt was (and still is) in its' multigenerational
success. "Survival" can be dismal. Thriving in the long-term is
what were after.

The most appealing part of the idea of space colonies is that there
can be separate ones for different views about the circumstances
that will ensure survival. Those who have such certainty in growing
plants in lunar soil under artificial lighting can go right ahead
and live in such an environment.

My only big doubt remains with how people will behave with one
another, and with their environment, particularly in the beginning.
I imagine that initially, living spaces won't be so large and
massive, due to the monetary and fuel expenditure necessary to
launch them.

Well, it's time to do some more research!

> I never had doubts that it can be done, from a technological
> perspective. My doubt was (and still is) in its'
> multigenerational success. "Survival" can be dismal.
> Thriving in the long-term is what were after.

I have rather the opposite viewpoint. I would view the most precarious
space habitat to be the very first one. I would view every subsequent
habitat and generation as further cementing long-term success.

> I imagine that initially, living spaces won't be so large
> and massive, due to the monetary and fuel expenditure
> necessary to launch them.

You're right about "massive", but low-mass may not necessarily always
mean small volumes. (One reason, perhaps, for favoring spheres over
other shapes.)

Think of the accommodations on the Hindenburg. Everything was as
low-mass as possible, but there was lots of room to move around in.

Regards,

Mike Combs