Let's assume a new program for lunar missions is started.
Let's also assume it is posited as Bush had did it, saying
we are going to the Moon, and should go to more distant
places after.

What technologies could be developed for a Moon mission
that would be useful for a Mars mission and/or a mission to
the asteroids? Or another way to say this, what technologies
that would be needed for going to asteroids or to Mars would
be useful to have for Moon missions, even if the technology
might not be worth the trouble to develop solely for lunar
missions?

For example, a few weeks ago, Fred J. McCall was proposing
to use a cycler for missions to the Moon. A lunar cycler that
would have been developed solely for lunar missions would
not be of much use for going to Mars. But if you know that you
are later going to Mars, then you can put some extras on the
lunar cycler, such as having a garden where crops are grown
and a solar storm shelter. Those would be valuable experiences
in preparing for a Martian or asteroidal mission. It probably
is not worth the trouble to do so if you are only going to the
Moon. But if you are going to develop the technology anyway
for Martian missions, might as well integrate them in the
lunar mission.

Another example might be an orbital fuel depot.

The purpose of my question is to try to find the best way
to return to the Moon and avoid it being Apollo redux. To
make the next "small step for a man", a step towards God
knows where.


Alain Fournier