Critical time

I think at the moment that lunar telepresence is the lowest
bar that has growth potential. However, whether it would open
space depends on what we find at the poles.

That's the risk. If there's water there, or something like it
then there's a business case (see http:://www.neofuels.com/)
for using that for rocket fuel (nuclear steamer.) If there's
carbon there mixed with the water (and it seems likely)
then we are truly blessed, things like iron smelting become
atleast possible.

If there isn't, then the moon looks to me like it lacks the
most important things for commerce- carbon and hydrogen.

Both of them seem to be quite key to rocketry and industry
on earth... and presumably for space too (or atleast it
will take considerable research to find other things to
replace them on the moon.)

NEAs may have both. Or else the main belt definitely has
both, but that's almost out of reach to us right now.

> To expand on Mike's comments...
>
> Travel times also affect economics: time is money. All other things
> being equal, a private venture would prefer the option with the shorter
> travel times.
>
> (Of course, all other things aren't equal, so I'm unsure as to which is the
> lowest bar to jump: Moon? NEAs? Phobos/Deimos?)
>
> Ron Menich
>
> "Combs, Mike"
> ssi_list@... ssi_list@...
> 04/03/01
> 03:30 PM
> Please
> respond to
> ssi_list
>
> A Mars project would not be as bad as you think if it is not cut abruptly
> as
> the Apollo program.
> I'd agree that a big push toward Mars would be better for High Frontier
> than no new projects in space at all.
> In space, what count is not distance, it is energy or delta
> vee. In that respect, the martian satellites are are better target than
> the
> Moon.
> To a certain extent. But travel times must be taken into account too, and
> can make a big difference wrt life-support requirements. Also, it's
> possible that teleoperation may become available. If so, it could be
> implemented on the moon, but not at the distance of Mars.
>
> Regards,
>
> Mike Combs
>

civilization?"