The Far Future: Living in Space

18.1. Colonies in space, not on planets

Isaac Asimov : "Planetary Chauvenism"

Bottom of a (gravitational) well

Bad for transportation

Surface gravity imposed

Length of day imposed

Atmosphere imposed

"Terraforming" : very long
very expensive
unethical?

Alternative: Asteroid-size space colonies

Energy cost of transportation: virtually zero

Everything can be customized

gravity (by rotation)
climate
length of day
ecosystem

Most important: surface-to-volume ratio

A planet's raw material would give millions of times more living area (We would use asteroids)

18.2 Constructing islands in space

Precursors:

Skylab

Salyut

Mir

ISS (International Space Station)

Raw Material - cannot be lifted from Earth

Use Asteroids - metal rich

Use cylindrical geometry simulate gravity

Apparently necessary for long-term health

Mirrors - sunlight & climate control

Economic independence is a must

Near Earth, could collect Solar energy & sell it to Earth

Other space-based industries

They can (and have to) grow their own food.

18.3 Life in space colonies

Unprecedented social diversity possible

A habitat for each social group... (?)

Enough space in the Solar System

If Earth orbit becomes too crowded ...

Political independence seems inevitable

Increasing distances & self sufficiency

Almost a utopia

No environmental pollution
No overcrowding
No pests
Perfectly controlled climate

Too good to be true?

References:

The High Frontier: Human Colonies In Space [book] by Gerard O'Neill: This book explains clearly and in great detail how habitats in Earth orbit may be constructed, how life in such an habitat may be, etc..