Zubrin citisism

> Mars is a waste. Too much gravity to make any mining affordable.

That depends on the value of the materials, and the technology
available to mine and launch them. By the time we deplete the main
belt, the Kuiper Belt, and various moons (assuming we don't kill
ourselves off first), mining Mars will definitely be feasible.

Possibly even before, depending on the technology. If mass drivers,
catchers, and energy sources all fulfill all our fondest hopes, then
it might be simpler, for many materials anyway, to throw stuff from
Mars than to go chasing down asteroids.

For the foreseeable, of course, planets other than earth are nothing
but scenery and gravitational assist.

--- In spacesettlers@yahoogroups.com, "terrierkeeper"
wrote:
>
> Zubrin's jump for Mars is more like Mao's great leap forward
rather
> than a small step for mankind.
>
> Space Island's give us the room for humanity to frow within our
> grasp.
>
> The moon is a source of raw materials, like asteroids, with which
to
> build those islands. Mars is a waste. Too much gravity to make any
> mining affordable. Not enough to sustain atmosphere or human
beings.
>
> I believe our steps should be practical ones. Spacie SIlands give
us