>>12762707>So?So transporting stuff from the moon is a lot easier than transporting it from Mars.
The lunar ascent module had a mass fraction of 40% with a 290 second ISP.
A Mars orbit vehicle would have 15%.
Moon requires lower TWR as well allowing for better payload fraction or more efficient, lower thrust engines.
NERVA moon ship would have drymass fraction of 75% and payload fraction around 50-60% for example.
>The trip there 3-6 months, we know from the ISS that it's doable.More like 4 to 8 months, Vs let's say a couple of weeks for moon (accounting for setting up your launcher) that's a lot more margin for error regarding emergencies and a lot less delays from waiting for equipment.
The radiation risk is not massively important assuming a dedicated orbital Mars shuttle for humans, most of the downmass is going to be non-human cargo.
>The moon cannot support life and living things make rockets.Mars cannot support life either, it will still need Earth import, it's just a bit cheaper over the long run, ultimately you aren't going to need that many people to support operations.
>UHGGGH IM BELTA LODAThe asteroid belt is the point of all this yes.
