Robotics for conquest of space

Putting men into space is costly (at least initially). Can we use robots to
do the job for us?

.. We also have the problem that no one knows how to design an efficient
CELSS that will keep humans alive. This could turn out to be a bigger
problem (till it is solved) than any other issue.

If we use robots, may be the economics of the whole thing may become more
manageable.

Instead of having a human lunar colony for instance, why not start with a
robotic lunar colony.

Modest facilities to set the ball rolling:

1. A materials processing unit of 100 tonne capacity / year

2. A machine shop capable of processing 100 tonne / year

3. An assembly shop capable of assembling 100 tonne of components / year

Once we have the above established and running we can forget 'Earthly'
economics.

Use the above facility to create less modest facilities to process 10,000
tonnes / year .... and so on.

Use similar strategy to expand into the rest of the solar system.

(May be, for setting up solar powered satellites in orbit around earth, this
strategy will yield quick results. Creating space habitats for humans will
be more demanding. In either case, the key strategy is to start small and
use robots to scale up, without any transfer of $$$ from Earth. )

Regards,

Selvaraj