on one hand I agree that a lunar base would be a cheaper option for a wealth of reasons including not having to refuel orbit keeping rockets, however, landing s

on one hand I agree that a lunar base would be a cheaper option for a wealth of reasons including not having to refuel orbit keeping rockets, however, landing supply is far more risky than docking supply, which compound with the mission's distance and scope: failing a shipment is always an eventuality, but losing it at launch is far worse than losing it on arrival, in the first case you know immediately, in the other you know 2-3 weeks later, and that influences how large your stockpile needs to be. what I'd say would be useful is if this station was the stepping stone for a lunar space elevator. then it would be a great investment and a true stepping stone for a permanent lunar presence, but a stationary orbit around the moon is impossible (too far, you'd fall on earth), so the tether would actually have to anchor the station.