Overview:
I have opened this page to discuss what it would take for a local space
colonization. Local space for me would certainly be orbital human occupation,
stationary occupation, and at least, moon occupation. I will discuss
econ 101, science, engineering, and logistics. A startup and sustainable budget
could be established or explored. Logistics is explored. Colonization
has started with Rovers, Stations, Satellites, Spacecraft, and Manned
Flight, including moon landings, but sustenance will be explored.
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Launching:
It is possible to launch a payload into orbit for around $1.5 million.
What can you launch? Equipment, people, fuel, water, supplies, craft,
modules. How much? Well, you have to shop around, and I will provide
interesting links. Folks, when considering what the free market can
accomplish, ask yourself, how a $300 stapler sneaks into the expenses
of our congress. This must be one magic stapler! And the examples of
excessive spending could arguably be around 2 trillion dollars per year.
Give me just 1 trillion, of the roughly 2.2 trillion budget, and I will
guarantee a significant colonization of our entire solar system. In
fact, government spends too much for so little. Give me 2 trillion,
and will guarantee inter-stellar flight. Put another way, give me the
national expenditures of just 1 year, and I will propel us to the final
frontier which may offer infinite possibilities. This is why free markets
are the best forum to achieve cost reductions and versatility in consumer
products.
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Logistics:
Obviously, any colonization would incur costs beyond launching folks.
You need water, equipment, tools, knowledge, communications, redundancy,
food, fuel, etc. - basically, you need a revolving logistical support.
The food and water would be relatively easy to calculate in terms of
finances. Simply weigh the number of people you are supporting, then
weigh their dietary needs. I think one of the keys, is transcending
current thought in logistical support. Having the right equipment, knowledge,
and tools to make use of the abundance of supplies that are provided
on the moon for example, is the thinking I have in mind. Other bodies
throughout our solar system are gold mines of the fuel needed to sustain
life and traverse the heavens. Folks, if you are not convinced that
the moon has many of the ingredients to sustain life, then start studying
basket weaving, and do not visit this site ever again. But if you have
read all the sections in this web site, you will begin to realize all
things are essentially made of stardust! The moon and other bodies are
no exception to some of the basic materials and matter that make up
our world and universe.
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Costs:
I have already produced a few expenses throughout this website. I have
also pointed out how free markets offer better results than governing
bodies. Unless we get Kennedy, Reagan, or the Republican Congress of
the mid 90s back, government is essentially a hindrance to enterprise.
Why was JFK, Reagan, and the 90s congress so great? They divorced government
from the people, and they were visionaries. That is right, government
can be arrogant. It steals your money, to supposedly spend it better
than you can. Government is your parent. What would we do without big
government? Well let me tell you. We would do what Americans have been
doing and are doing. We innovate. We work. We work hard. We provide
products and services to our local community. We provide goods and services
globally. We are free traders. Free trade offers consumer choice at
reasonable costs. So, government is the worst financier you ever met.
Government is not Robin Hood, and Robin Hood did not understand econ
101. Do not be fooled - nothing is free. The only thing I figure the
government is good for, is those enumerated powers granted to it in
the Constitution, without huge and complex assertions of it's own power
in ridiculous circus-style acts, nor should there be abuse in asserting
its power to tax and spend for programs that the government should have
no involvement in. OK then - back to costs. Free markets are essentially
the driving force of the world economy. When economies tank, do not
blame private and free forces! Economies tank because of bad government.
And economies recover because of free people! So our beloved NASA is
apparently unable to do what the people want, at an affordable cost.
Folks - is any governmental agency efficient? I believe we must rely
on free enterprise for successful spaceflight. This means that big,
greedy, bad corporate capitalists, may be the key to the final frontier.
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Engineering Hurdles:
Once again, I believe that the fuel of space travel can be improved,
depending on the mission. I suspect that local travel will likely continue
to be fueled by liquid hydrogen and oxygen. Reusable space vehicles
may be contenders for nuclear power. Adaptability may be another factor
of space travel. Modularization is often one engineering goal. Modules
that fit together nicely, will help you build large structures. The
obvious first step in space colonization, would be docking abilities
and air locks. Any craft of today or of the future should have docking
features, or be easily retrofitted for this capability. Any logistical
modules should also have attachment and docking features. Once a logistical
module has supplied our needs, it should be usable for other purposes
including construction of super structures. A few super cargo holds
may be necessary for construction and retrofitting. A large cargo holding
bay, such as the space shuttle's, could be used for general construction
and maintenance. You could retrofit logistical modules for general occupation.
Lastly, launch and guidance systems are critical. Luckily, we have had
decades of practice with this, and can now simulate everything with
computer programs. As I point out in so many sections throughout this
website, we still should have at least a rudimentary understanding of
all the technology, math, and science, that will make space colonization
possible, as well as some economics and other basics. Home Econ does
not count! In the consideration of logistics, engineering, orbital occupation,
retrofitting capability, docking, and fuel (which I will now just call
logistics), we may want to consider our largest satellite as a great
source of supply. With 1/6 the gravity of earth, our moon is probably
more easily traversable, if we are serious about space occupation. The
moon is likely a good source of fuel, air, water, metals, and other
minable elements. And, launching from the moon should be around 1/3
the cost (very roughly). So, we would want home based (earth) logistical
support and supplemental lunar support. In fact, any serious space colonization
effort, should probably consider at least a moon colonization. So, how
serious are we? Please continue to monitor this website to be amazed
by the number of people who are pushing similar agendas in private spaceflight.
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Benefits:
Folks, this entire website is arguably a benefit of space technology.
We have discussed consumer products, science, technology, atomic physics,
chemistry, engineering, finances, robotics, materials, computing technology,
and more! One of my biggest arguments is that Aerospace, Marine, and
National Defense may be among our greatest national assets and treasures.
When a product is certified as space or marine grade, this means that
it can withstand the rigors of a marine or space environment. And marine
and space environments challenge our knowledge in everything, including
health and psychology (which is why health is a section on this site).
The ability to go great distances, or great depths, in harsh environments,
requires the study and understanding of every topic on this website.
These concepts and missions help form a 1st class civilization. We continue
in space endeavors, and the results thus far have been astounding -
but not good enough! The possibilities are seemingly endless! Do you
need iron? How about lobbing a space rock to the north pole for recovery?
How about laboratory synthesis (much safer)? How about recycling (even
safer)? A space endeavor is also an endeavor in critical thinking. A
cost benefit analysis must be conducted. Last, but not least, is human
adventure, knowledge, and understanding. Human beings have been around
the globe, have achieved great marvels, and have made spaceflight possible.
We are in the space and information age. Let's continue to step it up
a notch!
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Summary:
I think the preceding benefits section goes a long way in summarizing
this entire website and its content. Throughout this website, I urge
you to familiarize yourself with each section. This page is no exception.
To summarize some of the amazing concepts described throughout this
website is very difficult. Too much is lost in summaries. But, like
a broken record, I will reiterate that Calculus, Science, Chemistry,
Physics, Economics, Free enterprise, Computing Technology, and Computing
Theory continue to be major forces of a modern society. These forces
have brought our standards of living to high levels, and are the forces
of the space and information age.
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Pic Group:FOLDER: colonization
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