I completely agree we are not even close to “ready for export” to the void of space or to camp out on dead worlds. However I think the means of “infecting” space could involve Ai and self-replicating robots called auxons that could use the asteroid belt and solar energy to create massive frameworks for bio hosting, or small space towns or space cabins with little human labor or Earth resources. No matter what, Earth will remain THE MOTHERSHIP for light years around. We are not nearly worthy of what we already have and even our beady little criminal minds would easily destroy delicate space habitats because wherever lots of humans go, lots of weirdos go to ruin it for everyone else. Excellent piece!