Quote Originally Posted by Edmond View Post
What sort of timeframe do you give to humans having a fully functioning, self-reliant colony that is pleasurable, and not just bearable for the humans living there, TO?

Around 500 years?
Assuming self-reliant as in it can survive if contact with Earth is lost?!

Hard to say. Elon Musk mentioned 2050. But that would require a not insignificant part of global wealth every year, which will not happen. My best guess around 80-100 years with annual expense of $10-20 billion. I think it needs to be started with Elon Musk finance. As soon as there is a somewhat stable and growing settlement with some industry working, others will invest. Investment does not need to return any goods to Earth. Profits can be made by dealing with shares on Earth.