The human landing systems (HLS) require refuelling, not SLS. SpaceX will need 10ish flights for their Starship lunar lander, but that number changes as vehicle performance improves. I don’t know the number of refuelling flights for Blue Origin’s lander.
You won’t catch me defending SLS or Orion at all (cost, timelines, old tech, pork, etc.), I just wanted to clarify that point.
Regarding the Apollo comparison- that program was cancelled for a reason. They hit diminishing marginal returns on sending a little lander and rover, so the money wasn’t worth it. Why would we do that again? Artemis is supposed to be bigger, “sustainable” and more long term with longer surface stays, the pressurized rover, a crew hab, a space station, and international collaboration.
The human landing systems (HLS) require refuelling, not SLS. SpaceX will need 10ish flights for their Starship lunar lander, but that number changes as vehicle performance improves. I don’t know the number of refuelling flights for Blue Origin’s lander.
You won’t catch me defending SLS or Orion at all (cost, timelines, old tech, pork, etc.), I just wanted to clarify that point.
Regarding the Apollo comparison- that program was cancelled for a reason. They hit diminishing marginal returns on sending a little lander and rover, so the money wasn’t worth it. Why would we do that again? Artemis is supposed to be bigger, “sustainable” and more long term with longer surface stays, the pressurized rover, a crew hab, a space station, and international collaboration.