Basics of space colonisation

In ancient times, autarkic societies developed. Soon humans organised themselves into groups forming religions, associations, states, countries, international bodies.

From a completely isolated economy of Earth, humans will soon reach out to close space. India's mission to Moon and Mars are finally taking shape. Countries like USA, China, Russia and European nations have already taken significant strides in developing robust space technologies.

Move into the future. We need to think how shall humans establish a colony in space. Once humans set foot there, those humans will need actions to execute, to keep them busy, to make them economically engaged citizens of human existence.

First we will set up space stations in Earth orbit like Mir, ISS.
Next, we will set up space stations in Moon and Mars orbit.
Third, we should set up a colony in Moon polar regions having regolith.
Fourth, Mars colonisation will begin in opportune areas.

Humans have or will develop technology to survive in space or Moon or Mars or beyond. The logical question is what kind of economically beneficial activities can they carry there for which Earthlings will pay them money?

Possible options are:
a) Mining
b) Research
c) Launching satellites into non-Earth orbits
d) Transport industry between Earth and non-Earth stations

The question worth asking next is will food be exported from Earth to Neoes (let Neo be the nick for human living beyond Earth's surface) or Neoes will create it by themselves? To grow food, Neoes will require artificial space, light, air, soil, water and the entire eco-system will have to be created.

The questions to be asked are multiple? Why to go beyond Earth? Where to go? How to go? When to go? At what cost? How much to go? And those who go might want to come back. So, the questions to ask further will be - Why to come back? How to come back? When to come back? At what cost?

Can we modify humans to such an extent that they don't need food at all? Can't we replace stomachs with bags which can digest any kind of matter? Can humans become robotic humanoids capable of sustaining themselves without organic food? There must be a solution to it too. With artificial organs, in-vitro fertilisation, stem cell research, genome mapping, one day humans might transform themselves into bots which will surprise even the likes of Arthur Clarke.

So, how much can we modify humans to suit space terrain? And how much can space terrain be transformed into a more habitable place for such modified humans? Neoes might look like a cross between artificially intelligent robots and humans. The question of "what is life" will also spring up soon in our quest of space colonisation.