REM@MIT-MC@sri-unix (08/29/82)
From: Robert Elton Maas <REM at MIT-MC> Once we develop space mining (Moon and asteroids etc.) industry (LEO, L-5, Geosynch, etc.) and habitat, I propose the following way to homestead with minimal capital investment: (1) First you work a mine on the Moon or somewhere else by remote control from Earth. This is labor not capital investment. You mine enough materials to make your cabin in the sky. (2) Next you work the manufacturing facility by remote control. Most of this is automated but some loading and unloading of materials and final products as well as final assembly may require human interaction. (3) Next you remotely-pilot a tug to put your space-cabin in LEO for rendesvous with the shuttle. (4) Finally you stuff yourself like cattle into the cargo bay of the shuttle for a people-mover flight, go up, unload into your cabin, and now you can move that cabin anywhere within range of the space tug. Thus you do most of the work "yourself" with computer/robot assistance.