MoreGull

MoreGull OP t1_ja92egl wrote

3 year trip to Callisto orbit, 2 years on site, 3 years back.... You think people would sign up for a 10 year plus committment?

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MoreGull OP t1_ja8xcet wrote

Economics are the only realistic reason. Imagine a huge deposit of uranium is discovered near the surface on Callisto, easily mined. That would create an industry around the effort, which, due to distance, would create colonization.

Economics, mining specifically, are the only reason we will spread out into the solar system. Other than a scientific probe here and there....

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MoreGull OP t1_ja8q1zp wrote

I mention Callisto specifically as I think it is a far better prospect than Mars. And the only advantage the Moon has is proximity to Earth.

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MoreGull OP t1_ja8pj5u wrote

Reply to comment by anotheroutlaw in The Case for Callisto by MoreGull

I think we could do it right now if we committed ourselves as a species. Which we won't, and aren't even remotely close to, so.... I'd say it entirely hinges on commercializing space. When it becomes profitable to engage in space based endeavors is when colonization of other places enters the realm of realistic.

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