Zubrin: 0.9 Simberg: 0.9
I am fans of both because they both have sound arguments. I agree with Zubrin that focus produces accomplishments but dislike his use of a strawman to refute depots. This is ironic since Zubrin is a champion of ISRU and methane or kerosene are storable as opposed to hydrogen. 300s rather than 450s means a spaceship going to mars would require about ten times the ship mass in fuel. Easily done with existing components (Bigelow BA330s and a SpaceX upper stage.)
This gives you a fully reusable ship in orbit for any destination, but mars is the first place to settle because all the resources you need to survive are there and they will have to rely on themselves since earth will only provide a minimum of resupply.
NASA not needed. Small plots of real estate legally owned by individuals provide all the funding you need REGARDLESS OF THE COST OF TRANSPORTATION.
Allow any individual to claim a one sq. km plot with recognition in a registry. They can improve a hectare for resale with a habitat (water and power from privately owned utility companies) and one to three of Zubrin hobby farms (supplying enough food for 3 to 9 people.) That one km plot pays the entire cost of migration when sold off a hectare at a time assuming 1% profit over WHATEVER IT COST TO GET THERE. Every two years or so new plots will be ready for settlement from each prior settler. New settler can claim their own sq. km. in addition to landing on a ready to inhabit hectare.
Over time, costs will come down, but this is sustainable at current costs.
Life, Liberty and Property!
