Well it started with space tourism for the ultra rich.
Now they are contemplating space mining:
A Quixotic Quest to Mine Asteroids
In theory, zero gravity, absolute vacuum and extremely low temperatures are als0 great "potentials" for the production of industrialized or specialized products. I will not go in the economics of all this, but let's remember that Columbus went west for profits rather than exporation for its own sake (well that's what he said to the king of Spain).
Personaly I am still mooved by the "classical" astronaut raising a US flag. Wouldn't mind if it was a UN or an Indian flag for that matter. I am not sure how I would feel if the flag said: " Property of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc."
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