The technology to turn CO2 into methane is well over 100 years old, but until someone develops a portable system and places it on Mars, not a single drop of fuel or breathable oxygen is going to come from it. Equipment must be placed in situ in order to make materials in situ. That's the bottom line. Since I don't see a major reduction in the cost per pound for launching from the Earth, Man's presense in space is going to be limited until there's no longer a need for constant resupply from Earth. That requires infrastructure.
Heavy lifters that can put 150-200 metric tons into orbit, nuclear reactors for deep space power, spacecraft and habitats sturdy enough to protect space workers from the rigors of space, and the machinery and facilities to mine raw materials, refine them, and turn them into finished products will be needed to get Humanity permanently into space.
Space/Science » in reply to technology is key in that case, not alleged infrastructure
Infrastructure depends on technology.
The whole thread (29 posts)
- So, we're going back to the moon for what-now?
- Because Politicians Are Timid and Can't Do Calculas and Economic or Engineering Calculations
- Regime change, WMDs, and to bring democracy to the oppressed Moonaqis
- I never considered He3 as the main reason.