Asteroid Mining

[rvg]

This sci-fi fantasy is sounding more idyllic by the minute. I'm glad when it comes to space people don't get bogged down by the practicallity of their ideas. It will make the public's disconnect with the achievements of private enterprise that much more palpable.

Space exploration in general has been a constant exercise in ignoring the naysayers and achieving things that supposedly "cannot be done". Nothing new really.

[a completely inoffensive name]

Space exploration in general has been a constant exercise in ignoring the naysayers and achieving things that supposedly "cannot be done". Nothing new really.

This is really laughable. The laws of physics don't bend to humanities will. Space exploration in general has been a constant exercise in doing our best despite hard-headed people like you telling Challenger to lift off because postponing the date would "look bad".

The technology isn't there yet and everyone talking about space elevators or factories in space when the best money can buy right now for the ISS are tubes just big enough for an American and Russian astronaut to move past each other.

Honestly, what a pathetic argument.

[rvg]

This is really laughable. The laws of physics don't bend to humanities will. Space exploration in general has been a constant exercise in doing our best...

If it's left to people like you, we'd still be trying to put the man into orbit.

The technology isn't there yet

That's what you think... you do think occasionally, right?

and everyone talking about space elevators or factories in space when the best money can buy right now for the ISS are tubes just big enough for an American and Russian astronaut to move past each other.

Lack of money does not equal lack of know-how. That bit should be self-explanatory.

[a completely inoffensive name]

If it's left to people like you, we'd still be trying to put the man into orbit.

Not really considering I said from the very beginning of this thread that we should still fund ventures such as the one OP posted. Just because I want to make sure human lives and money are not wasted doesn't mean I am not as "Rah rah rah! Human race!" as you.

That's what you think... you do think occasionally, right?

That's what I know. Here's a hint. If all these wondering things you talk about are anywhere in our grasp, where's all the investors lining up for this? Why is the one investment OP showed such a big deal? Because it is so far out there as a concept. Not due to people being negative nancies but because private industry has had a hard time merely catching up to NASA let alone being pioneers in their own right. Like I said, space is unforgiving.

Lack of money does not equal lack of know-how. That bit should be self-explanatory.

And michio kaku can talk on tv all he wants about warp drives going faster than light, but that doesn't mean the issue is a lack of money buddy.

[rvg]

Not really considering I said from the very beginning of this thread that we should still fund ventures such as the one OP posted. Just because I want to make sure human lives and money are not wasted doesn't mean I am not as "Rah rah rah! Human race!" as you.

I'm not at all "Rah rah rah! Human race!" as you so eloquently put it. No need to be, as we have no competition. Nor do I advocate wasting money or lives.

That's what I know.

You do? Are you a rocket scientist or a space exploration expert? Barring a revelation from Jesus, what are your sources?

Here's a hint. If all these wondering things you talk about are anywhere in our grasp, where's all the investors lining up for this?

Here's an answer. Investors invest money to make money. They don't invest for the advancement of the human race, they invest to beef up their bottomline. Example: Spirit and Opportunity. Brilliantly executed project, lots of information gained. Financially -- complete disaster. If we were to wait for investors, that project would never happen. No money in it.

Why is the one investment OP showed such a big deal? Because it is so far out there as a concept. Not due to people being negative nancies but because private industry has had a hard time merely catching up to NASA let alone being pioneers in their own right. Like I said, space is unforgiving.

Depending on private investment for space exploration is folly. That's why NASA is funded by taxpayers.

And michio kaku can talk on tv all he wants about warp drives going faster than light, but that doesn't mean the issue is a lack of money buddy.

Straw for the strawmen. Yes, more straw for the strawmen. Strawmen demand their straw.

[a completely inoffensive name]

I'm not at all "Rah rah rah! Human race!" as you so eloquently put it. No need to be, as we have no competition. Nor do I advocate wasting money or lives.

Then why put a factory in space made of crappy materials other than to say, we made a factory in space made of crappy materials? Space elevators for space stations that don't exist, robots working in zero gravity, all for some moon rock. If you are not doing it for the pride of the human race, then I am at a loss as to why you would want it at all?

You do? Are you a rocket scientist or a space exploration expert? Barring a revelation from Jesus, what are your sources?

This is the backroom, my ego is my source.

Here's an answer. Investors invest money to make money. They don't invest for the advancement of the human race, they invest to beef up their bottomline. Example: Spirit and Opportunity. Brilliantly executed project, lots of information gained. Financially -- complete disaster. If we were to wait for investors, that project would never happen. No money in it.

A perfect set up of an asteroid mining colony is one of the most profitable ventures ever if it is done successfully. Sending down ingots of elements that currently put choke holds on the cost of electronics would be a complete cash cow.

Depending on private investment for space exploration is folly. That's why NASA is funded by taxpayers.

Well if we want to be realistic now, I would have to point out that for the past few years NASA's budget has been taking a beating and we should not depend on public investment given our current political climate.

Straw for the strawmen. Yes, more straw for the strawmen. Strawmen demand their straw.

Highlight where I have strawman'd your argument please. I'm afraid I won't have enough money to keep this one fed with fresh straw if it isn't worthy.

[rvg]

Then why put a factory in space made of crappy materials other than to say, we made a factory in space made of crappy materials? Space elevators for space stations that don't exist, robots working in zero gravity, all for some moon rock. If you are not doing it for the pride of the human race, then I am at a loss as to why you would want it at all?

Because it is very expensive to keep hauling building materials from Earth to the orbit. The "factory in space made of crappy materials" will be there to expand the ISS far beyond what would otherwise be undertaken due to costs. It's not about proving anything to anybody.

This is the backroom, my ego is my source.

Understandable, but at the same time unacceptable in an argument.

A perfect set up of an asteroid mining colony is one of the most profitable ventures ever if it is done successfully. Sending down ingots of elements that currently put choke holds on the cost of electronics would be a complete cash cow.

The problem is that without an orbital processing facility you won't be sending down ingots. You'll be sending down tons of rock, some of which might actually be valuable. Or it might not. Kinda casts a shadow on the whole "cash cow" aspect.

Well if we want to be realistic now, I would have to point out that for the past few years NASA's budget has been taking a beating and we should not depend on public investment given our current political climate.

And I don't believe anyone was discussing specific dates in this thread. Only concepts and their feasibility.

Highlight where I have strawman'd your argument please. I'm afraid I won't have enough money to keep this one fed with fresh straw if it isn't worthy.

Certainly. I made an assertion that while we might lack funds, that doesn't mean we lack the know-how.
You brought up the example of this michio kaku fellow and his warp drive idea that at a glance contradicts Einstein's theory of relativity and will thus be laughed off as nonsense (easy to see why).
You are making a link between my statement (that we don't necessarily lack the know-how) with a supposed idea of a know-how(warp drives) because kaku's theory can be easily pounded into dust. In other words, you are creating an easily defeatable straw man, tying it to my statement (even though there's zero indication in my statement that I support the guy) and passing them as analogous, while they of course are not.