Thank you for your input. It has been most useful.<br /><br />So, let us then say that this system is going to be used over shorter distances. If a powerstation is built in space, most customers would probably have reason to establish their operations nearby anyway.<br /><br />It would provide for ease in communicating (and trading with) other stations and allow for some measure of safety (mutual support) in an emergency.<br /><br />The satellites will have to provide their own power.<br /><br />So, let us assume a set of stations built just beyond geosynchronous orbit. (1) A power station. (2) A satellite maintenance facility (that hauls communications and other geosynchronous satellites in for refit before sending them out again), (3) A refining system that accepts asteroid material and turns it in to something useful, (4) Some amenities and entertainment for crew, (5) a space ship repair and maintenance facility, and (6) a visitor/tourist/crew quarters "residential" station, <br /><br />For the stations beyond geosynchronous orbit, one of the products provided is a "radiation box" - a room in the center of the station with walls, ceiling, and floor packed with 1 meter of asteroid rubble.<br /><br />I am not talking about huge systems here. I am talking about small systems. Assume that the asteroid processor can only manufacture a standard 2-story house size box with walls 1 meter thick once per year.<br /><br />So, now, what are the limitations? What are the better options?<br /><br />