solar power station. Electromagnetic launchers hurl building and shielding materials to industry bases in lunar orbit. Robotics, more sophisticated through research developed for lunar industry, led to the production of versatile robots for Earth operation (in danger zones like radioactive areas and undersea work). In space, robotics allowed for rapid building of space factories using materials from both moon and asteroids. Cost effective construction was possible when automated processes were capable of self-replication. Most lunar employees want to return home after their space stint, so a gymnasium complex is available for low gravity games, workouts and weight training for readaptation to Earth gravity. The lunar hospital and medical school features a graduate program in low gravity physiology, low gravity surgery and cryogenic medicine. In the millennial year 2000 the Mormon church authorized the construction of a massive Space Temple in low Earth orbit thus creating a one-upmanship urge in other religions. Now there are temples of Mormons, Moslems, Moonies, Methodists and Mescalines. Worshippers are urged to save up for the expensive pilgrimage to Outer Mecca. Also in low Earth orbit is the Orbital Hilton with rotating living zones, holographic teleconferencing, a shopping complex and elaborate sports facilities. To accommodate a growing convention trade, construction is now underway for a resort featuring zero gravity recreational sex. Investors formed a merger of Boeing Aerospace and the travel firm Club Med — aptly titled Club Bed. Power stations, lunar bases, communications satellites in geosynchronous Earth orbit are routinely operational and so is orbiting industry. Advanced automated techniques provide many processes that benefit from weightlessness and vacuum. Superstrong and lightweight metal foams, ultrapure materials, new alloys, exotic electronic components, a new generation and superconductors, giant space-grown diamonds, new optical products, high strength permanent magnets, biological and pharmacological surprises — all use the special properties of space to create benefits for Earth. The vastly stepped up monitoring of Earth from space, the instantaneous global communications network and the pictures and memoirs of space travelers have permanently changed the mental model of the Earthbound. Space is part of the neighborhood now and its bonus of a higher standard of living has freed energies to promote ecology, cultural benefits, humanitarian programs and global unity on the home planet.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTU5NjU0Mg==