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Originally Posted by UnderseaLcpl
There is nothing within reasonable range of our solar system worth visiting for any purpose other than data collection, and probes can manage that.
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That is why we send in probes first, to find the interesting stuff that humans would like to go out and see. But major analysis needs to be done by humans since there is only so many tests that can be packed in to a probe.
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And they are all very far away and very expensive to exploit, no matter how you approach it. Without some way of reliably and safely conveying spacecraft to and from other planets, and then transitioning any cargo form Earth orbit to the ground, the idea is pointless. For the moment, we're better off just focussing on this planet. There are only 6-something billion humans here. Most of them don't even manage to use non-renewable resources before they die or beget impoverished children who also die. Earth is inceredibly goddamn huge, and we've only explored a tiny fraction of the crust that we regularly draw energy and resources from. We'll be fine.
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Sometimes more distant objects are easier to get to. Less mass means less fuel needed to slow down to land on and less fuel to leave. Also some asteroids are closer to earth and the moon at some points in their orbits.
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In a perfect world, I'd have to agree with you. In this world, there is the need to maintain the satellite and replenish its fuel reserves so its orbit doesn't decay.
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That is why many birds now have Ion thrusters. As long at its solar panels are drawing power it can generate thrust to maintain station.
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That's true, but it hasn't been done yet. Why do you suppose that is?
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Treaty with those godless commies.