1.3 Zero-g also improves the microbiologist's ability to separate components from fluid mixtures, such as live lymphocyte cells for cancer research. This points the way to the production of certain pharmaceuticals at lower costs. A space colony can serve as a base for continuous space processing operated by trained personnel. The availability of pollutionfree energy from solar radiation further reduces the operating costs or the manufacturing operations. I.2.3: Large Space Structures: Large-scale human utilization of space rests in part on the fabrication and assembly of large structures such as Satellite Solar Power Stations (SSPS's), optical telescopes, antenna arrays for radio telescopes, and large mirrors to reflect sunlight to Earth (1.3). Prefabricating these on Earth and transporting them into space for assembly requires designs tough enough to withstand launch stresses, and specialized packaging techniques, such as folding trusswork, to fit the structures into transport vehicles. The assembly requires logistical support for a trained work force. A space colony can provide facilities and manpower for the fabrication and assembly of these large space structures. The designs can be simpler and less massive, due to the low transportation stresses, the absence of special packaging techniques, and the improved properties of space-processed materials. If the raw materials come from the Moon, the transportation costs are decreased by avoiding the Earth's gravitational well, and the refining and fabrication costs are reduced by the use of solar energy. The manpower and logistical support for the assembly site is provided by the colony. So are later inspection, maintenance and repair teams. I.2.4: Long-Term Uses: As the availability of minerals on Earth decreases, and as the energy and environmental cost of refining these minerals increases, the possibility of mining the asteroids, particularly for rare metals, will become cost-effective. A space colony, due to its location high in the Earth's gravity field, and because it is not surrounded by an atmosphere, has easier access to the asteroids than Earth does. At first, a colony can send mining
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