Glad to, Doug.

When I first learned about the extent of the impact hazard, I realized that it was both very severe and immediate. As mitigating the hazard requires reliably finding 100 m dark objects in a dark sky (low light), I simply threw at the problem the most advanced optical instument I had ever seen presented, Bush snr's science advisor John Gibbon's Moon based Terrestrial Planet Finder (I hope I spelled his name right - it was a long time ago).

As I had long been obsessed (that is, until 1991) with the Soviet Union's plans to use their Energia launcher for manned Moon flight, I simply modified Glushko's architecture to come up with a cost effective solution for building this:

http://www.geocities.com/epgrondine

I was later delighted when a detailed engineering analysis of the problem by a team at NASA Langley confirmed my back of the envelop, seat of the pants estimates. This is Dr. Mazanek's teams' CAPS study. And if you want a detailed analysis of the advantages of (actually, it's the necessity for) Moon based sytems, contact the Langely PAO. They have rigorously examined all of the alternatives in depth, including the free space based ones.

[Note especially that Mazanek et al favor the use of cryogenic H/O delivered by HPFM, while I set out my architecture for the use of any fuel, including hypergolics or possibly alcohol/peroxide. I don't know how the last would work, or even if it could be made to work - It has a low ISP, and peroxide is very dangerous, as it spontaneously decomposes in the presence of any catalyst (including Moon dust), but it may provide advantages in terms of production, trnasfer, storage, and life support when used with some kind of stabilizer. Right now, I would rather be digging out the ATK and B-team's architectures and discussing them with others elsewhere than engaging with the mono-maniacs here.]

Many will not believe this, but prior to this realization, despite my study interests in manned Moon flight, I was indifferent as to whether we went to Mars or the Moon: I had also done research on the Soviet Heavy Interplanetary Spacecraft. I had examined the architectures which the Soviets had proposed to the US for joint flights to Mars. I was very impressed by one of Zubrin's very first public presentations of his Mars Architecture, and thought Dr. Aldrin's cycler architectures to be quite good.

I think it has been the Mars Nuts' indifference to, and attempts to rationalize away, the impact hazard that have proved especially frustrating for me. Their rather complete indifference to the value of human life is especially indicative of the extent of their mental malfnction and moral vacuity. Thank goodness there are not too many of them, and their numbers are shrinking everyday.

I hope this reply answers your questions.