I disagree quite strongly with the idea that robots are a substitute for human migration. The rationale is totally different. That being said I think the Moon

I disagree quite strongly with the idea that robots are a substitute for human migration. The rationale is totally different. That being said I think the Moon makes far more sense as a first off planet settlement. The transit time is short enough for a tourism industry among other things. It’s also short enough to permit relief flights and for people to quickly return if necessary. It would be a great place to basically prototype the technology and the social aspects. Also the fact that it is more hostile in some ways is good from a prototyping point of view. If we can live with no atmosphere and 1/6 gravity we can surely make it with some atmosphere and 1/3 gravity. Edit: and mining may be viable. Gravity is low enough to permit possible gun or mass driver launch from the moon back to Earth for raw materials. Probably wouldn’t make enough to make the whole venture profitable but could maybe offset it a bit along with tourism. Materials like gold, platinum, rare earths, etc might be found near the surface in concentrated deposits due to no weathering.