If we are going to go further into space, we are going to need much larger space stations that can store supplies, materials, and much more research equipment and scientists. The ISS is a fucking broom closet, lol. This is charting a path to get us closer to research stations on other planets too, which are also needed for such ventures. Mining will come eventually, after orbital stations and lunar research facilities :)

Technologies like skyhooks could help us cut costs significantly with spacetravel between planets or for shipping materials around.