[Kim_Bruning]

If you're making a space-space spacecraft, you can probably cut the requirements for that vehicle factory down to a manageable size. Still big! But manageable. And some of the lightweight specialty parts (like computers) could still be imported from earth, further reducing the size.

I'm not saying it won't still be big. You basically need community in Low earth orbit, low lunar orbit, or on the moon. But it could well be worth it; depending on the demand for hardware in earth orbit to begin with.

If you get moon launch costs low enough (and they'd be low!) you might start competing with some traditional industries on earth.