I’ve long thought homesteading was an attractive idea. Free launch costs to anyone with a business plan. Heavily subsidized grub stakes: standard living quarters, food, raw materials, tools, etc. A core assumption is that we mudfeet will lack the motivation, experience, and insight to solve all the problems pre-emptively. Colonists will find problems and solutions we can’t even dream off. Setting priorities must be left to those who will live with the consequences.
But here’s the rub: mated pairs only, the ladies expected to bear their first child within, say, 18 months. And, key point: No return ticket. The Up and Out is your home for the rest of your life.
Expect a steep learning curve and heavy losses for the first two or three generations.
This doesn’t really address my basic question, which is why the government or private sector would want to sink the necessary funds into setting up such a project.
I’ve long thought homesteading was an attractive idea. Free launch costs to anyone with a business plan. Heavily subsidized grub stakes: standard living quarters, food, raw materials, tools, etc. A core assumption is that we mudfeet will lack the motivation, experience, and insight to solve all the problems pre-emptively. Colonists will find problems and solutions we can’t even dream off. Setting priorities must be left to those who will live with the consequences.
But here’s the rub: mated pairs only, the ladies expected to bear their first child within, say, 18 months. And, key point: No return ticket. The Up and Out is your home for the rest of your life.
Expect a steep learning curve and heavy losses for the first two or three generations.
This doesn’t really address my basic question, which is why the government or private sector would want to sink the necessary funds into setting up such a project.
Government: Ask Kennedy
Private sector: Ask Musk