What the existence these dark Jupiter-plus sized objects speak to is the need for humanity to establish permanent outposts out of harm's way. Mars would be a smaller target and a moon of Jupiter smaller still, and close to a giant deflector/vacuum cleaner.
In time, free market capitalism, if not deterred but hopefully encouraged, will accomplish that as a matter of course.
Huh? Why would they/it do that? Free market capitalism does NOTHING without a customer to sell a good or service to. What exactly would they be selling to whom to justify such a venture?
Here are just a few applications for commercial ventures in space – and how fortunes can be built:
Having a human presence in space would open up the need for support systems and facilities, or water for life support, transportation, logistics, etc.
Moving satellites or other materials from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to geosynchronous Orbit (GEO), eventually from Earth LEO to the moon. Satellites could be placed in LEO then captured and lifted into GEO by transports (call them Space transport systems) waiting there - The fuel to power thise transports would be mined on the moon - here are potentially huge fuel savings with fuel transported from moon to any earth orbit and held in space depots for distribution to these space vehicles remaining in orbit.
And there are not just fuel savings: Would eliminate need for expendable booster stages when launching from Earth, and lifting the fuel to the final stage at LEO.
Satellite maintenance in orbit - Capturing, repairing and replacing satellites back into orbits (presently satellites are not built amenable to be maintained or upgraded, but to be replaced by costly new satellites, with additional launch costs.
Collecting and removing space debris from orbit; ejecting it back into earth atmosphere.
Commerical operations on moon - Mining fuels for use powering space transportation systems from LEO to GEO - Mining operations can be performed by “Tele-robots” with real time actuation. (here on earth military drones are an example of a Tele-robot in everyday use.)
Building and maintenance of Solar energy capture and transmission from GEO to Earth based transmission/distribution systems – Whole countries could be independent from earth source energy importation such as oil, coal, NG, and nuclear power.
Look Here=>
msnbc.com updated 4/13/2009 10:41:47 PM ET
California's biggest energy utility announced a deal Monday to purchase 200 megawatts of electricity from a startup company that plans to beam the power down to Earth from outer space, beginning in 2016.
Space tourism – LEO habitat for the very wealthy - There are already examples of $20 million tickets for visits to ISS. (
See Bigelow Aerospace)
Mining asteroids in Earth crossing obits for fuel and volatiles to be used in LEO, GEO, or Lunar Halo orbit.
Elon Musk now offers a complete package price contract to put 53 (117k pounds) metric tons into orbit at a cost of $849 per pound. (assumes full loads; this includes earth based support). This price is about one fifth the cost of the shuttle lifting a pound into orbit.
Elon MUsk believes (and has said) Aay long term human presence in space requires much cheaper access to space. Therefore, if your longterm goal is a long term human presence in space, you must focus on cheaper access to space. That's his goal, his thinking, and what he is accomplishing.