h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I watched Deep Impact only last night and came across this entry by accident today. I just thought I'd mention to anyone interested that scientist suggest that the next likely step for humans after the Moon but before Mars would be on a Near Earth Asteroid. The distance is some what less, and the need to fuel would be less due firstly to the distance and duration on the journey and that most asteroid proably only have micro-gravity and so escape velocity would only be low. Even with Phobos Mars' largest moon, it's only 20 meters but attempting the high jump could give you almost escape velocity.