Quote from: khallow on 05/19/2011 02:55 amThe asteroids look pretty good, but they for the most part have even lower light intensity than MarsSo? Just move stuff. The delta-v is less than for escaping from earth, and you are even able to use electric propulsion because of low gravity fields. The gravity well of a big planet is a big disadvantage.Besides light can be concentrated. When you have this amount of technology and space based industry then it is not that big of a problem.
The asteroids look pretty good, but they for the most part have even lower light intensity than Mars
Quote from: Tass on 05/19/2011 06:22 amQuote from: khallow on 05/19/2011 02:55 amThe asteroids look pretty good, but they for the most part have even lower light intensity than MarsSo? Just move stuff. The delta-v is less than for escaping from earth, and you are even able to use electric propulsion because of low gravity fields. The gravity well of a big planet is a big disadvantage.Besides light can be concentrated. When you have this amount of technology and space based industry then it is not that big of a problem. Indeed, big enough parabolic mirrors and the "edge of sunlight" gets pushed back.Mike Combs took this idea and ran with it in this story:Eyes, Shining Back from the Dark.
Heh, now I'm in error in a way that supports my original argument. Wish that would happen more often.Even if someone beats you first to a star system, you still can find a niche. There's probably some advantage to being the first to a new star system, but I think it's overstated.