Space Industrialization

IMO, the largest markets for space commercialization and
industrialization are going to be:

1. satellite manufacturing and launching from the Moon, Mars, or from
orbital space utilizing asteroid materials. The satellite industry is
projected to be a multi-trillion dollar industry in the near future.
And its a lot cheaper to launch Earth orbiting satellites from the
lunar surface than from the Earth's surface.

2. the mining and processing of platinum from the asteroids. Methanol
fuel cell automobiles could double their efficiency and water
electrolysis could enable us to manufacture ammonia fertilizers and
synthetic hydrocarbons such as methanol, gasoline, diesel fuel, and
aviation fuel. But fuel cells and electrolyzers require platinum.
Unfortunately there's not enough platinum on Earth to replace the
fossil fuel economy with a synthetic fuel economy. However, asteroids
are extremely rich in plantinum-- especially the nickle-iron asteroids.

3. space tourism to the Moon, Mars and orbit could be a multibillion
dollar industry

4. space burials on the surface of the Moon especially if we only
transport light cremated remains to the lunar surface could also be a
multi-billion dollar industry.

But all of these industries would require a large human presence on
the Moon, Mars, and in orbit. That's why I advocate establishing
permanent and-- constantly expanding-- bases on the Moon and Mars and
in Martian orbit. Mars orbit is the safest place to import small (100
to 10,000 tonne) asteroids via light sails for the processing of cheap
oxygen and valuable platinum. Cheap extraterrestrial oxygen of course
would greatly reduce the cost of space tourism as far transportation
and air supply are concerned. Mars could of course also supply the
hydrogen needed for water and rocket fuel.

You also need lots of people on the Moon and Mars for vehicle
maintenance if reusable vehicles are employed. Add research scientist
plus space tourist and you suddenly have a pretty healthy and growing
community on the Moon and Mars.

But we need to see if large numbers of people can truly survive on the
Moon and Mars and under simulated gravity in orbital space solely
utilizing extraterrestrial resources (living off the land). And we
also need to find out if human engineers can properly maintain
habitats and reusable space craft in extraterrestrial environments.

Once these things are established,IMO, the wealthy tourist will come
and numerous space industries will rise and human survival beyond the
Earth will be assured.