I guess I was imagining more of an Interplanetary Transport System that was at least self-sustaining if not profitable.
The lack of resources on the Moon could be solved by finding an appropriate near-earth asteroid to mine. The ideal 1st candidate based on potential mineral wealth ($87 billion, but I don't believe those numbers are very accurate) and proximity to earth (a measly .1au, or 9 million miles during its solar periohelion :) is Anteru I believe.
Here we are, on the precipice of colonizing Mars in possibly my 80 yr old father's lifetime, witnessing perhaps mankind's greatest and boldest feat yet and I'm getting greedy and thinking "Yawn, who cares. Let me know when the Interplanetary TRADE System is profitable and indefinitely self-sustaining."
I'd try to visit Mars at least once . When it reaches a level of infrastructure and economic development of early 18th century British or other Euro colonies is when it's looking likely I would consider making a one way trip there.
The lack of resources on the Moon could be solved by finding an appropriate near-earth asteroid to mine. The ideal 1st candidate based on potential mineral wealth ($87 billion, but I don't believe those numbers are very accurate) and proximity to earth (a measly .1au, or 9 million miles during its solar periohelion :) is Anteru I believe.
Here we are, on the precipice of colonizing Mars in possibly my 80 yr old father's lifetime, witnessing perhaps mankind's greatest and boldest feat yet and I'm getting greedy and thinking "Yawn, who cares. Let me know when the Interplanetary TRADE System is profitable and indefinitely self-sustaining."
I'd try to visit Mars at least once . When it reaches a level of infrastructure and economic development of early 18th century British or other Euro colonies is when it's looking likely I would consider making a one way trip there.