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/u/Macon-Bacon,

I hope you get an answer from Mr. Aldrin. I've looked through your comment history, and you seem legit; you've clearly put thought into the rational aspects of space exploration.

Whether you get an answer or not, I'd like to read your answer to your own question. I'm a fairly generic engineer, what should I, or anyone else, be doing to magnify our efforts to better humankind?

Thanks

Why the conviction that the very first manned mission should be permanent? How different is that from going a couple times and then starting to settle?

Even Elon's intention (I believe) is to start settling Mars soon, he himself intents to retire there.

What's with the Russian suit in the museum with the sparkles on the boots?

There's a movie!?

Thanks for this AMA.

Two questions following up to your response here-

First, I think one of the reasons for the success of the Alaska Permanent Fund is that it was based on the sudden discovery of resources, namely oil. Do you have any comments on what Alaska has done, and do you agree with my assessment?

Second, what are your thoughts on asteroid mining? Though it's some years away, this is a huge material resource that goes beyond the limited resources of earth. How do you think extraterrestrial resources should be treated with respect to your comment above?