Here's an idea. Instead of the ISS being a Space Station, call it a Truck Stop and warehouse district. Fly external tanks into orbit and make them the tank farm for the interorbit tug's fuel. The interorbit tug would service geosynchronous satellites and would be operated by FEDEX and UPS. The brown truck would also carry goods to and from the Earth truck stop and warehouse district and the Lunar Truck Stop and warehouse district. The ISS should be considered the space age version of the commerical district around the airports of the world!
NASA shouldn't be the guiding force behind the commericalization of space. That's what the Department of Commerce is designed to accomplish. Add in the International partners of the ISS and maybe we can change the complexion of the whole planet.
Lunar He3 to power the fusion generators in Geosynchronous orbit al la Gene Cernan's ideas. Manufacturing plants at the LaGrange points and we then we aim to move all polluting, heavy industry off planet by 2050. These ideas aren't new but now is the time.
If we raise everone's standard of living on the planet then maybe we can solve the economic problem that continues to be the source of poverty and war.
Infinite wants and limited resources has been the clarion call of greed and war. How does it change when we go into space and find infinite resources for those infinite wants?
Star Trek anyone?
Hey, but what do I know I'm just a frustrated futurist who was saddened when that Pan Am shuttle didn't make it to the orbiting Hilton in 2001!
Just a few reasons why the truck stop might not be a good idea...
Oh yeah! Space Teamsters! (We're on strike, bozo! Either we get a raise or the truck stop is goin' to land on your head!)
Youse guys are never gonna find Jimmy Hoffa's body now!
Space hookers. 'Nuf said.
Fourty days of orbit matching after having the chilli omlet special...With a balky air scrubber...
Overnight delivery on the dark side of the moon.
More seriously....
How does it change when we go into space and find infinite resources for those infinite wants?
Limited access. Unfortunately, the greed will be made manifest by those who will control the flow of the resources. Wars have been fought over such control, and it will inevitably happen in space, whether over air, water, or fuel.
Look at the diamond market on here on Earth, with rarity of the common gem grades supported by cartel limitations on supply (the best of the best will always be rare.) It will take tremendous resources, but a commercial free-for all with some safety limitations might be in order.
IMHO the BDB concept has never lost its luster (Big Dumb Booster). Lift the payload, utilize the upper stage for orbital maneuvering and a fuel tank when delivered, scrap or remove the fuel pods and use the rest for construction materials. Re-use what can be re-used of the lower stages on Earth.
If we raise everone's standard of living on the planet then maybe we can solve the economic problem that continues to be the source of poverty and war.
Wealth is generated when one has something the other needs or wants. controlling the supply/demand equation can lead to greater wealth. As nice as it would be, I don't see human nature changing, or war becoming extinct.
Nor do I see any space-faring species being completely devoid of agressive motivation, at least in their past. If their technological development parallels ours in any way, their quantum leaps in medicine, technology, and science would have been made through efforts arising from conflict, not cooperation. We renew our space program today, not because we are busy cooperating with the other nations on the planet, but because of the threat that Communist-Chinese dominated space would present to our nation if we do not develop and maintain a strong presence on and off-planet. While a cooperative effort could be tremendous, there are underlying philosophical differences and goals which are incompatible.
If any one nation dominates space, it will have the potential to dominate the planet. Best to be there 'firstest with the mostest', even if the Soviets orbited the first satellite.
You make good points, but you're confusing the concept of the Commerce Department with the reality. In reality, it's used to funnel money to big campaign contributors.
So all we have to do is convince the donors that they have a strong interest in space development, and we're there!