Editing Space colonization (section)

====Earth orbit====
[[File:Debris-GEO1280.jpg|thumb|alt=Earth from space, surrounded by small white dots|A computer-generated image from 2005 showing the distribution of mostly space debris in [[geocentric orbit]] with two areas of concentration: geostationary orbit and low Earth orbit.]]

[[Geostationary orbit]] was an early issue of discussion about space colonization, with equatorial countries argueing for special rights to the orbit (see [[Bogota Declaration]]).<ref name="Durrani 2019"/>

[[Space debris]], particularly in low Earth orbit, has been characterized as a product of colonization by occupying space and hindering access to space through excessive pollution with debris, with drastic increases in the course of military activity and without a lack of management.<ref name="Durrani 2019"/>

[[File:Axiom modules connected to ISS.jpg|thumb|Through the [[Commercial LEO Destinations program]], the [[Axiom Station]] can gradually establish commercial uses and become economically sustainable.]]

Most of the [[Delta-v budget|delta-''v'' budget]], and thus propellant, of a launch is used bringing a spacecraft to low Earth orbit.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last=Wanjek |first=Christopher |title=Spacefarers: how humans will settle the Moon, Mars, and beyond |date=2020 |publisher=Harvard University Press |isbn=978-0-674-98448-6 |location=Cambridge, Massachusetts}}</ref>{{Rp|page=100}} This is the main reason why [[Jerry Pournelle]] said "If you can get your ship into orbit, you're halfway to anywhere".<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Pournelle |first=Jerry P. |date=April 1974 |title=A Step Farther Out, Halfway to Anywhere |url=https://archive.org/details/Galaxy_v34n07_1974-04/page/n95/mode/2up |magazine=[[Galaxy Magazine]] |pages=94}}</ref> Therefore, the main advantages to constructing a [[space settlement]] in Earth orbit are accessibility to the Earth and already-existing economic motives such as [[space hotels]] and [[space manufacturing]]. However, a big disadvantage is that orbit does not host any materials that is available for exploitation. Space colonization altogether might eventually demand lifting vast amounts of payload into orbit, making thousands of daily launches potentially unsustainable. Various theoretical concepts, such as [[orbital ring]]s and [[Skyhook (structure)|skyhooks]], have been proposed to reduce the cost of accessing space.<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=|pages=142–147}}