1967: the United States and Soviet Union can not agree on terms for an outer space treaty. Militarization of space drives technological development and infrastructure investment including manned orbiting stations and eventually manned moon-bases before the Soviet collapse.
Afterward, with no restriction on territorial claims or commercialization and a huge investment in space, the United States, Russia and, to a lesser extent, China and the lesser European powers embark on a massive effort to commercialize space to offset their continuing expenses in space. Seeking not to be left out, India, Brazil, Indonesia and other nations join in the race for lunar - and eventually asteroidal - resources.
Afterward, with no restriction on territorial claims or commercialization and a huge investment in space, the United States, Russia and, to a lesser extent, China and the lesser European powers embark on a massive effort to commercialize space to offset their continuing expenses in space. Seeking not to be left out, India, Brazil, Indonesia and other nations join in the race for lunar - and eventually asteroidal - resources.
