To harness lunar resources it would take more money to build the infrastructure on the Moon than it would to build infrastructure to harness resources on Mars because they are both more plentifull and more readily available on Mars. You would need heavy duty mining equipment on the Moon versus vacuum pumps on Mars to get the basic raw material for oxygen and fuel. You would have to mine for water at both sites (although there are traces of water in Mars atmosphere), but have a much better yield per lb processed on Mars.
You are a math major who probably knows the rocket equation well Larry. Tell me how many missions it would take to pay back the lunar infrastructure investment (several hundred billion) to cover the small delta v difference between reaching lunar orbit for refueling and going straight to Mars.
Regards,
Mark
Space/Science » in reply to Do you understand the benefit of being able to fuel a Mars mission in Earth orbit
I Understand ROI And This One Looks Bad At A Glance
The whole thread (34 posts)
- Do Moon Firsters Understand The Delta V Argument?
- Re: Do Moon Firsters Understand The Delta V Argument?
- There is absolutely no need to go to Mars right now
- Do you understand the benefit of being able to fuel a Mars mission in Earth orbit
- Comment On The Moon
- I Understand ROI And This One Looks Bad At A Glance
- Re: Do you understand the benefit of being able to fuel a Mars mission in Earth orbit
- Re: Smart 1