Al Globus wrote:

The price tag depends on when you start. If you start trying to build
one today, maybe something like this. If you develop space tourism,
space solar power, and asteroid detection and deflection first, then
start, the price tag is much low. That's the idea behind
http://alglobus.net/NASAwork/papers/PathsToSpaceSettlement2011.pdf

............

Interesting and very readable writeup.

Few points:

1. The author is in favour of settlements around Earth. Could we get all
the seven billion pesky two legged creatures off the planet :-) ??

2. According to the author 'we could capture near earth asteroids for as
little as 10cm/s delta v'. What is the legal position in this regard? Would
we be allowed to put asteroids in Earth orbit? How close would be safe?
This looks like a priority experimental activity! Does NASA have any plans
in this regard.

3. The author points out that we could be hit by a large asteroid any time;
we need to perfect technologies to divert such objects. Looks like a
priority activity which needs to be taken up by the U.N. !!

4. The idea of space hotels and entertainment centres to give a fillip to
space exploration. Probably, short term visitors will prefer a near zero G
environment. Much easier to achieve!! A slowly rotating 100 m dia space
hotel can be planned.

5. Space power. Should not someone put up a SPS of say 100m dia to see how
the system works?

... very interesting!

Regards,
Selvaraj

On Jan 29, 2012, at 9:18 AM, sraj wrote:

> Al Globus wrote:
>
> The price tag depends on when you start. If you start trying to build
> one today, maybe something like this. If you develop space tourism,
> space solar power, and asteroid detection and deflection first, then
> start, the price tag is much low. That's the idea behind
> http://alglobus.net/NASAwork/papers/PathsToSpaceSettlement2011.pdf
>
> ............
>
> Interesting and very readable writeup.
>
> Few points:
>
> 1. The author is in favour of settlements around Earth. Could we get
> all
> the seven billion pesky two legged creatures off the planet :-) ??
>
> 2. According to the author 'we could capture near earth asteroids
> for as
> little as 10cm/s delta v'.
>
Unfortunately, the author of the reference this came from found an
error in his calculations. The needed delta v is much higher. The
online version of the paper has been correct.