re: #310 Targetpractice

And it took a booster just a bit smaller to put a fully-functioning space station into orbit in one go. The ISS was the result of numerous launches over several years, not something easily duplicated when one of the countries responsible suddenly decides that its launchers are no longer for sale.

This is why the moon was always the first thing in many space colonization plans. Same ores as Earth to make metals, but not so deep a well to lift out of.

Still leaves food and water, though.