Robber Barons in Space

I've been mulling this over for a while. Seems like these ought to
be the stepping stones to a capitalistic movement into space. Tell
me how wrong I am.

1) Develop a controlling market share on the production of solar
cells and panels.

This should be done primarily in the space satellite area, but it
doesn't hurt to do this generally across the industry. It is not
necessary to actually do this with a single company. Potentially, a
large, recognized consortium that creates standards for the industry
would do the same thing. In this case, charismatic or intellectual
leadership would be required.

2) Standardize solar panel connectivity.

Use the controlling market share to create a standard, modular solar
panel connector. It is not quite necessary to standardize the solar
panel layout and shape, but the panel must be connected using the
standard connector. The connector should be simple and
disconnect-able.

3) Implement a space tug.

To me, this is the weakest link of this plan. Ideally, this tug is
refuel-able. Fantastically, perhaps it runs on IIS gray water or
space junk. (Pelletizing and ejecting.) It must be capable of
changing orbits heights and inclinations in order to rendezvous with
satellites. This tug should be engineered to grapple with the
standardized connector, remove it, and insert a new.

4) Begin satellite power upgrading.

As solar panel productivity begins to degrade on satellites orbited
using the standard connector, replace them. Fly panels to a
rendezvous point, pick them up with the tug, fly them to the
satellite, replace. Furthermore, as solar panel technology
increases, upgrade satellites with greater power supply.

5) Expand

From here, it becomes financially viable to look for resources that
are already outside the gravity well. For, if we can manufacture the
solar panels in orbit, satellites can be launched without panels.
(Allowing weight for other things. And, perhaps more powerful
satellites.) The panels made on orbit could be low tech because
weight is no longer a factor. It remains to devise a way of
extracting raw materials from a non-terrestrial source and using them
in the manufacture of solar panels. Even if, first all we get is
silicon (shipping the balance up from earth.)

Similar low-tech components could be substituted for solar panels
here. Suppose it were batteries? Antennae?

Well, there's a lightweight business plan for ya. Flame away.

Chris.