Re: Moon and Mars
Before landing on the Moon, astronauts went to low Earth orbit, learned in space how to walk outside the spacecraft and learned how to dock with another spacecraft. All those things were needed before actually landing on the Moon.
Going to Mars will require long duration flights, long duration stay, much better spacesuits, radiation exposure....I agree the Moon is a needed step. But there's one thing that's impossible to fathom: what will astronauts feel when they won't be able to see our planet (blinded by the sun glare)? Maybe a moonbase on farside will be an interesting way to test this!
*Much as the political pissing contests I participate in on the other pages bore many space enthusiasts, I'm sure. ;)
Yes.:-/
Raoul