robit_lover

robit_lover t1_ixstdnn wrote

There is nobody who uses the term "stepping stone to Mars" in the literal sense that a mission to Mars will first go to the moon. The term is used to describe using the moon as a test bed to develop the technology needed for Mars in a more forgiving environment. In terms of launch vehicle performance, the moon is almost exactly as difficult to reach as mars, and the life support systems needed for the long duration missions planned will be directly transferrable to Mars.

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