I think the rise of machine learning, graphene, high performance electric engines and metallic hydrogen will finally allow a reusable vehicle to go into space,

I think the rise of machine learning, graphene, high performance electric engines and metallic hydrogen will finally allow a reusable vehicle to go into space, something like the Skylon [1]. The reason why I bring this up, as being important in 10 years or less. Is that it will be available for around $1m. AI will negate the need to go through rigorous astronaut training. Maybe there will be some, but not as thorough. Graphene and other exotic metals will allow for lighter craft and reusability. High performance electric engines will allow for less fuel payloads to get into high altitude, whilst allowing for the metallic hydrogen to literally blast out into space. Metallic hydrogen is 7x more powerful than liquid hydrogen. I think once average joe is able to get into space. We could finally see an abundance of rare earth materials. Could be like the old west, where a co-op of you and your buddies go out, wrangle an asteroid and mine. Come back with a trillion dollars worth of metals. Of course, a glut of anything will bring prices down. But hopefully by then manufacturing is ubiquitous also. Maybe it's the optimist in me, but there are certain historical events that could take our society from where it is now, scarcity based, to an abundant one. Interesting times ahead. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skylon_(spacecraft) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skylon_(spacecraft)