Upscaling towards Saturn V performance?

They did it last time because they were in a big hurry to do a minimal
landing mission. This time, there is no rush and (officially, at least) a
longer-term view of the objectives. The more relaxed schedule and eye on
later missions will encourage building infrastructure (e.g., orbital
assembly facilities) as appropriate, and the emphasis on long-term lunar
surface activity will encourage even the first missions to use heavier
spacecraft with larger crews and much longer surface stays. The sensible
choice now is orbital assembly.


Do they plan on finding the cure for old age in the meantime? They shouldn't be
planning missions for immortals. If it takes longer than your expected lifetime
to complete the mission, the mission might as well never happen as far as your
concerned.

They can spend the next 50 years saying, "Not yet! Not yet! We're still not
ready!" and never get it done.

Tom