You wouldn't want to land on the Moon and launch to Mars. That would be very inefficient.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
I don't go along with going to Moon first to build a launch pad to go to Mars. We should go to Mars from Earth orbit. We have already been to the Moon; we've already practiced.
I don't think there is much value in trying to use the moon as a base to go to Mars. That's going into one gravity belt and having to get back out of it again. And the moon doesn't have a lot to offer as a resource base.
Mars is a long ways away. The moon is only 240,000 miles, but Mars is in the millions. It's too risky without spending more time going to the moon.
The way I see it, commercial interests should manage a lunar base while NASA gets on with the really important task of flying to Mars.
Believe it or not, I'd love to go to the moon.
It's not going to do any good to land on Mars if we're stupid.
I think a Moon base is not necessary to get to Mars, but I think it will be helpful. It would give you a chance to develop and mature some systems; long duration, deep space stuff; and you're close enough to get some help, via radio from Earth.
If they could offer up a way to go to the moon that wouldn't kill you, I'd sign up.
I'd like to go to the Moon.
I want to get to the moon. I want to go to Mars.