High efficiency drives

Tom Tucker (Olympia) wrote:

> Being more pragmatic, I think that we are many decades away from space
> colonization and asteroid mining due to critical "missing technological
> links" in the chain of tools that are needed. Chiefly, these are:
>
> 1) Reduction in cost to achieve LEO and beyond,

The cost of mining is going to be a couple of billion+,
the cost of launching is only a ~hundred mil. I mean
sure, its not inconsiderable, but its not the biggest
part. R&D, fabrication, deployment and maintenance are the
big ticket items.

> 2) Advanced remote technology to mine and to maintain mining equipment
> on an asteroid that may be far far away. Neural net ethnology will be
> crucial IMO along with VR and machines able to repair themselves.

Possibly. I think that lunar mining is easier- teleoperation there
is just about possible. Also, radiation issues are much better
(short flight). And the moon seems to have one crucial ingredient-
hydrogen.

> 3) Design and test viable life support systems for space colonies.

Lots of plants? Incidentally you can buy closed life support
systems off the shelf see: www.eco-sphere.com.