http://www.reddit.com/r/iama/comments/33ys4s/we_are_the_team_behind_kerbal_space_program_tomorrow_we_launch_version_10_and_leave_early_access_ask_us_anything/cqpn6wv I've asked for this in the AMA
1) I don't think it's a cheat. It's a new feature, if you don't like it don't use it. 2) To make it more balanced i would love to see some kind of Life Support into the game, so mining for 3 months instead of 10 days has a cost