Asteroid Mining

From: spacesettlers@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:spacesettlers@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Richard

> This list is weird. First, I get we shouldn't waste time with Mars.
> And now I get we shouldn't waste time with the moon.
>
> Such inflexibility when we don't know that much about what is out
there is scary.
>
> The moon and near earth asteroids go together like a belt and
suspenders.
> To ignore one, is denying ourselves possible resources.

Yes, I'd agree that the case for small-gravity bodies over large-gravity
bodies like Mars is much more clear cut than is the case for asteroids
before moon or moon before asteroids. Which comes first will depend on
a complex interplay of technology, what else the government has going on
at the time, and (at least where the asteroids are concerned) what
targets of opportunity present themselves and when.

If the moon comes first, I'd say the odds of subsequently ignoring the
NEOs are just about zero. If NEOs come first, I'd say the odds of us
subsequently ignoring the moon are still pretty close to zero, if for no
other reason than (as others have pointed out) time is money.

I know this: If lunar resources become available for use in HEO, that
vastly improves the logistics of mounting an expedition to a NEO.
Conversely, if asteroidal resources become available for use in HEO,
that vastly improves the logistics of setting up a lunar base.
Whichever happens first, the other will probably follow fast on the
heels, since either is a tremendous enabler for the other.

Regards,

Mike Combs