why outer space?

Combs, Mike wrote:

>
> *From:* David Grunwald [mailto:skywise372@...]
>
> Combs, Mike wrote;
>
> > I hate to say it, but space
> > settlement really can't
> > be justified on the basis of shortages of any raw
> > material or living space.
>
> If this statement is an indication that you are
> doubtful as to the feasibility of a "space based"
> strategy for meeting our future demands for resources
> and livable space, and that space exploration is,
> therefore, not justifiable on those grounds alone,
> then we agree.
>
> I don't know if I would even go that far. I think space settlement, in
> addition to providing humanity with both additional high-quality living
> space and clean energy, could even conceivably provide Earth with raw
> material (if we began running out of anything), given that aerobraking
> makes sending things down to Earth somewhat easier than sending things
> up and away. Still, O'Neill said that to bring space resources down to
> Earth is to kill their one outstanding economic value: Their location at
> the top, rather than the bottom, of our gravity well.

Yes of course, anything rolled to the bottom of the well has lost
energy.

But still I don't agree with O'Neill on this one. Build a crude
reentry vehicle and load it up with a ton or so of platinum.
It does get that very important resource: money.
(Platinum is currently running at $500 an ounce.)

Then there's the alloys you can't make on earth. Then there's the
chip fab plants, then there's the SPS; then there's the
materials that can't be separated on earth then there's etc. etc.

> In space, space
> resources compete with Earth resources lifted into space at tremendous
> cost, and thus are competitive even given greater processing costs. On
> Earth, space resources must compete with Earth resources, which will
> always have much lower transportation costs.

True, but a lot of things in space are going to be cheaper aren't they?

> So the only issue really is: Are we fixing to run out of anything here
> on Earth, such that importation from space is the only remaining
> option?

Well, zero g is quite scarce down here.

Exports TO the earth. Don't expect them to pay for space. But do expect
them to pay, and pay well. I'm pretty sure space can undercut earth
based production in a lot of cases.