Though well reasoned, Hugh Cook’s op-ed “Humanity’s Outpost on the Edge” appears to recommend that America average about one astronaut in space for years into the future, as we have for the past 50 years. That’s no way to capitalize on space.
It’s why I have been in favor of a practical phase-out of the International Space Station, replacing it with numerous Skylab-sized turnkey stations that may be specialized in configuration (i.e., research, manufacturing or tourist destination).
Progress would come with a larger population occupied in space. These turnkey stations could be leased to nations with little space access.
Development of cheap transportation would be stimulated. Incidentally, it would also be a steady use for the Space Launch System launching the specialized stations.
Edward Hujsak
La Jolla, California