Could we help preserve earth’s ecology if we start mining and manufacturing in space?

Question

Assuming that we are not realistically going to give up our high-tech, consumer societies any time soon, would it be better to have some of the most heavily-polluting processes out in space? This would seem to be a major savings to the earth’s environment. Mining and manufacturing, along with the heavy energy usage that goes with them, are a major cause of environmental destruction on earth. Raw materials could be mined and processed in space, then the processed materials sent back to earth (gliding to the earth’s surface like space shuttles do). The sun could provide the energy, and the moon and asteroids would be the major sources of materials. Except for oil (for plastics) virtually every other raw material can be found throughout the solar system. What would be some other arguments for and against doing this?

Answer 1

yeah, and we'll launch all the equipment, people and fuel to do that via an sling shot made from organic materials, not the polluting , ozone busting rockets that we've use so far.

Answer 2

The premise is wrong. Modern manufacturing is not that harmful to the environment. Modern mining can have impacts, but that too can be mitigated. Moreover, consider that aluminum and steel are highly recycled.

The cost of going in and out of space is far higher (in $ and energy) than staying here on earth. As long as we use the resources we have more efficiently (which keeps happening as our high-technology free-market economies come up with ever more innovations in processes and products), we will be better off.

Answer 3

("even as will people commence significant area exploration? ... genuinely commence venturing out into area .... And even as will colonies commence to be developed ... for the overall public to commute ...?") --------------------------------------... i'm no longer a physicist, astronomer, or cosmologist yet it really is what i imagine: Humanity will commence reaching this stuff even as they offer prepared faith the proverbial boot! and position some sensible and rational regulations of company greed, and demand absolute honesty from both company and the political device. in straight forward words then do we've the right inner structural organizations to attain the targets you propose. Einstein lay out a approach for international peace and progresses progression pretty a lot 70 years in the past. If the international had listened to Einstein and the physics community, issues will be so a lot extra efficient now for each individual. The Anatomy of Peace by Emery Reves recommended by Einstein Einstein On Peace by Otto Nathan & Heinz Norden Preface by Bertrand Russell the international is ALL SCREWED UP in the present day because they would not pay interest. desirable regards

Answer 4

No to the question....where 'man' goes there will be other problems/toubles and the cost will be far to high for same to happen....and since 'these' same persons that are in power can't solve the problems that 'they' created is a good measure of what these aren't capable of doing in the future....

Answer 5

so just how many moon rocks do you want in your yard?

Answer 6

we will end up spoiling space as well