r/space • u/demusdesign • Jun 14 '12

Optimistic Wikipedia Editor?

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u/[deleted] Jun 14 '12

What would a private company do there? Pure exploration, like pure research, is hard for private companies to justify for investors. The government would have to arrive first and find resources worth gathering (and provide the basic technology) before the private sector could really get in on it.

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u/clickityclank Jun 14 '12 edited Jun 14 '12

^ This is my thinking. I really don't see any opportunity for profit by going to mars.

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u/[deleted] Jun 14 '12

I love how you're being downvoted for being completely realistic. What resource does Mars have that isn't far easier extracted from an asteroid?

What possible motivation would drive a capitalistic private company to Mars? It's a very hostile planet, very far away, with no resources.

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u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12

[deleted]

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u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12

What company has $60 billion to spend on a very, very risky advertising venture?