North American Suckup Adminstration...

[TLAM Strike]

Originally Posted by razark

A moon base makes no sense in going to Mars. The energy required to go from LEO to Lunar orbit to Mars orbit is much higher than LEO directly to Mars. It makes as much sense as driving from New York to Washington D.C. by stopping for gas in Dallas. Sure, it might be cheaper to get the gas there, but getting there doesn't make it worth it.

Not if they use the ITN for the trip from Earth Orbit to Luna. Then its free (just takes time.

That is one angle to think about. I don't think we'll need to worry about the mass driver for a few years yet, though.

I don't know, the USN is working on an impressive rail gun right now.