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The problem with EVA on the moon is the reliability and endurance of the space suits. Even if HLS delivers, there could be delays simply because there are no su
by imtringued 3y ago
The problem with EVA on the moon is the reliability and endurance of the space suits. Even if HLS delivers, there could be delays simply because there are no suits. When you consider the near rectilinear orbit having a seven day period, then bad suits are a deal breaker for the entire mission.
- XorNot 3y agoConversely if you have reliable payload to the lunar surface, delivering special-use lunar escape vehicles to keep on standby is a better option then having the entire mission pay an ongoing cost for what should be an exceptional and unlikely scenario. The problem of "we need to get off the moon now" is "okay, but where are you going and what's going to be there that's more useful then where you are?" It's not unreasonable to note that a medical emergency would be much better dealt with on the moon - where you have gravity - then in orbit, where you don't. Whereas if you need to bail out and get to Earth fast (which you can't) then you'd be better off just dropping a vehicle which can do that onto the surface.