Question on Moon to Mars

[arobie]

For the first part of the vision, the getting to the Moon part, About how many tons of material will need to be lifted off of Earth to get to the Moon and establish a moon base?

 

[radarredux]

Seems like a fairly open question. Also, I am not sure a "moon base" has been explicitly stated in the vision.<br /><br />Some of the issues include: How many people will be included; will they stay there only during daylight period (approx 2 weeks) or will they be there for the approx 2 weeks of night time (energy issues); how closed are their life support systems; what type of work will they be doing there; will they be returning any mass other than themselves; what type of technologies will be used to move between the earth and moon; and so on.<br /><br />Zubrin came up with some good estimates for Mars, but his plan included "living off the land". Still, a good closed-loop life support system could compensate to some extent. Get his "Case for Mars" book and look at some of the details.