Real estate is what it really is all about.

I think the volatiles and light cycle, though with distinctly less light, are more of an advantage on Mars, but the distance and the rest you list is a real big negative. Again I think the an asteroid capture program for a space settlement in orbit is the best but between the two the moon is better for settlement. Now for reasons of science, politics and pride we might want to visit Mars. And if someone wants to try the one way trip, go for it, but looking at all the numbers I'd have to put the moon over Mars for settlement.

I totally agree on the lack of gravity data on humans being the biggest deficiency. If we too lazy to use an orbiting station to test it, a few astronauts on the lunar surface will give us useful data in just 6 months.
Brooks

--- In spacesettlers@yahoogroups.com, Joe Strout wrote: