With regards to the 0-G uses of the center of the asteroid city:
1) Entertainment. All sorts of people would revel in being able to throw
off gravity for a while and enjoy some 0-G activity. Nullgrav versions of
all major sports would probably be possible, such as 0-G football. (and you
think they have trouble on a planar field! ;) ) Even low-gravity portions
of the ring could be used for entertainment, most notably in the area of
hang-gliding type sports. It would take a long time to come down, and the fall
probably wouldn't kill you if you fell... (On the seamier side, 0-G brothels.
......) :|
(Having just returned from a Paintball excursion, I'm wondering if there
mightn't be some sort of semi-combat 0-G version of capture the flag?)
2) There would probably be some simulation and training facilities for some
of the law enforcement agencies, maybe something like a combat village, with
a complete simulated set of spacecraft to practice boarding and the like.
Being able to practice training in a closed environment would allow them to
vary a lot of training parameters for a much more controlled training setting.
3) Cargo. Isn't it a whole lot easier to move cargo around in 0-G? No gravity
friction to contend with and the like. Probably lots of HEAVY assembly going
on, maybe starship construction as well.
I prefer the entertainment idea, I'll have to think it out a bit more fully.
Gerret.