Orbital Outposts: A Better Bet Than a Moonbase?

Because we are planetary creatures, most people assume the first and most numerous space settlements must be on the Moon or Mars. In fact, we may live in orbit long before settling the Moon or Mars, and there may always be far more space settlers in orbit than on any planet or moon.

Orbital settlements are huge spacecraft, big enough for many thousands to live in comfortably, that provide radiation protection, a breathable atmosphere, nearly self-sufficient life support, and that rotate to provide something that feels much like Earth-normal gravity at the rim.

Why do I think orbital settlements will precede and vastly outperform those on planets and moons? Three reasons:

Read the full Al Globus story at SPACE.com