Quite interesting!
In the 60's, during the Gemini program, they learned at every flight. Spacesuits were changing at every mission! Then, during Apollo, they changed betwee, A1 and A7, then a last time at A15.
It was quite incremental.
The problem with Columbia's first flight was that its technology was so new and its design such that the whole stack had to be tested at once in one same flight. That's why it took so long between ASTP and STS1.
That's why STS1 was so risky!
But the idea of returning back to the moon and learning incrementally can allow for excitement, actual missions, and anticipation to something better the next time.

Raoul