“the underlying reason why we do human spaceflight is the extension of human civilization beyond Earth“
The official Review of U.S. Human Space Flight Plans Committee webpage is here.
This is a great reason and one that this site agrees with.
Adjoining that should be:
1. a tight space agency focus on technology and systems that greatly reduce the cost of space access
2. the industrialization/creation of infrastructure in space (the solar system).
3. Infrastructure that allows the use and leveraging of the material and energy resources
Speculist comment on the new goal for space.
Alan Boyle, Msnbc cosmic log, covers the fuel depot concept.
The 5 page pdf fuel depot white paper reviewed by the committee
Brian Wang is a Futurist Thought Leader and a popular Science blogger with 1 million readers per month. His blog Nextbigfuture.com is ranked #1 Science News Blog. It covers many disruptive technology and trends including Space, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Anti-aging Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology.
Known for identifying cutting edge technologies, he is currently a Co-Founder of a startup and fundraiser for high potential early-stage companies. He is the Head of Research for Allocations for deep technology investments and an Angel Investor at Space Angels.
A frequent speaker at corporations, he has been a TEDx speaker, a Singularity University speaker and guest at numerous interviews for radio and podcasts. He is open to public speaking and advising engagements.