Island One costs

We would need to develop new launch technologies to achieve the necessary
economies of scale even if we were to use extra-terrestrial material in its
construction. Total agreement here. I think NEAs are the best bet since they contain all the
materials we need. the Moon can even help to capture it into Earth Orbit. True. And even SSI may be shifting away from the moon and toward NEAs. Although having said that, I need to add that SSI did help support the last Return to the Moon conference. Personally, I still expect the moon to enter into themix as a source of raw materials. The NEAs have their advantages, and I wouldn't minimize them at all. But the moon's proximity to Earth gives it advantages of its own. Telerobotics development might push us in the direction of the moon first, and NEAs after initial use of space resources has made it easier and more economical to support people in space.