first post thoughts...

> I would think of selling the first one for a slightly larger one,
in the longer
> term once we have some sort of infrastructure in orbit...

Hi Michael, Thanks for jumping in. A question for you, Whom would you
sell the first platform to? The backers, another colonial group, the
government? The fact is, there really would be few if any buyers for
a "slightly used" space platform. As a project of this size will
require a truly international commitment.

> I don't remember anybody suggesting placing one in orbit... I just
see the
> large stations drawn in depictions as the long term goals of
orbital settlement,
> not something we'll have tomorrow, nor something we would ever want
to
> launch up earth's steep gravity well... When we do have those, they
will be
> built from materials from the moon / asteroids, for people already
> living & working in space.

I think I see the problem here; it is simply one of perspective. You
are looking at the the "long view", sometime in the future; while I
am discussing a much shorter view, sometime within the next 5-15
years. We have the technology to launch such a platform, what is
lacking is the commitment from those who "hold the keys" to space.
Thus the need for a corporate/private space program.

> So you are suggesting launching a station from earth's surface? If
I recall,
> one of the concepts of O'Neill style space settlement, was to build
these
> things in space, with materials from space, for people living in
space.
> Before we have the infrastructure to build one, we (as far as I
know) won't have
> a sufficient population in space to justify building one anyways...

There is one difficulty with your argument: we will never "have a
sufficient population to justify building one" if we dont start.
Unless the Corporate/Private community sets a firm commitment to
occupy and populate space, the need for a space settlement will be
nothing more than an interesting topic of conversation. And, the only
way we are going to get there is launching it from Earth's surface.

Mr O'Neill had a truly grand vision; one that has proven to be
extrememly popular, if this and other space related groups are any
indication. BUT, his vision is not something that can just come into
being. It is something that must be "grown" into. I think space, and
the problems thereto, are just like the ocean, in a sense. We are at
the technological and societal stage where we are able, and should be
considering, building the Santa Maria. So that our modern Columbus
and party can begin their journey of discovery. Mr O'Neill is
envisioning the construction of the USS Nimitz. We can build a space
going version of the Santa Maria now; we wont be able to build a
space version of the Nimitz (technologically speaking) for at least
100 years. Yes, Mr O'Neill's designs will have to be built in space,
that is a given; what I am advocating is our getting into space and
growing to the point where those designs can be utilized effectively.

> This is just my 2 cents tho, plus a couple dimes off Mike Combs's
web site...
> -Michael P.

thanks agian for adding your "2 Cents", Michael. And thank you for
your time.

Patryk