Mars vs Space Habitat Debate

Michael Capriola [mailto:capcartoonist@...] wrote:

"The first settlements will be in space. The goal will be to colonize the
asteroid belt because we know for certain that it has mineral wealth we can
exploit."

"Dave Logsdon" responded:

steroids? As a *second* step, I'll agree. But, the very first step, IMO,
is going to require establishing some viable, profitable businesses in Earth
orbit. Tourism, pharmaceuticals, SPS... most likely, a combination of these,
and more. *THEN*, on to the asteroids and cometary cores of the NEOs. "The
asteroid belt" -- if you mean the asteroids and cometary cores lying between
Mars and Jupiter -- will have to wait for another day: decades, or even a
century or more past that point.>

You're right, of course. I was thinking that, once we were established in
Earth Orbit, we'd look to where the economic opportunites lie and start
planning to set up installations in the Belt.

"Mars is a good stopping off point on the way to the Belt."

Right again. I had second thoughts about this after I posted it. Sloppy
thinking on my part.