Astronomers find 7 Earth-size planets where life is possible

[bigheadfred]

With a diameter 5 times the length of Clark's Rama, could be interesting.  Wiki says it's theorized to be the exposed metallic core of a proto-planet.

If you are going to mine an asteroid t may a well be that one.

[kevindavis007]

Perhaps even more likely is mining out and spinning a bigger asteroid with sufficient metalic content for shielding.

That could be ideal.. The Asteroids could be a good Colony Ships.

[Cripplecreek]

That could be ideal.. The Asteroids could be a good Colony Ships.

A fleet of them would be the way to go. Smaller asteroids of 10 and 20 mile diameters may largely consist of loose rubble but they can be structurally strengthened and may be even easier to make habitable spaces inside them.

[InHeavenThereIsNoBeer]

That could be ideal.. The Asteroids could be a good Colony Ships.

A very interesting idea.

[Note, this post is pure conjecture, as I know nothing about the orbits of asteroids.  My apologies to any astronomers injured by reading my post.]

They already have a whole bunch of mass that could be used as structure and (I assume) radiation shielding, and that mass already has momentum.  That's a whole lot of mass/fuel we don't have to battle gravity for, or find in space.

I doubt they would be of much use for taking us where we want to go, but they could be wonderful tools for learning about long term, high population, space travel.  Probably want to throw in a bunch of sensors to map part of the system for "free" at the same time.

If we got really lucky, maybe we could exploit their momentum and gravity to use them as tug boats for bulk shipping supplies to in system colonies.

[bigheadfred]

A fleet of them would be the way to go. Smaller asteroids of 10 and 20 mile diameters may largely consist of loose rubble but they can be structurally strengthened and may be even easier to make habitable spaces inside them.

Might have to restructure it a bit like anthill mining so when you spin it to induce some gravity effect it isn't all wavy gravy.

[Cripplecreek]

Might have to restructure it a bit like anthill mining so when you spin it to induce some gravity effect it isn't all wavy gravy.

Build a skeletal structure in and around it for stability

[bigheadfred]

Build a skeletal structure in and around it for stability

Sounds like fun. Someone needs to tell Trump.