I don't think it matters whether there are humans in space or not. As long as we establish some kind of research or industry up there. We already know of certa

I don't think it matters whether there are humans in space or not. As long as we establish some kind of research or industry up there. We already know of certain types of manufacturing which is more effective or even made possible in zero-g (fiber optic as one example). Plus we can despoil the area with fewer negative consequences due to the lack of a biosphere. Next the extraction of elements that are only available in low quantities on Earth, or which are too expensive to lift into space. Until these operations expand to such a level that zero-latency human oversight is required, they can probably be managed safely and cheaply from Earth.