The problem is that classic architecture relies on infinite goverment funding, where squeezing every centimeter of delta V is worth millions in custom built one-off prototypes. (money which goes to hard working taxpayers- trickledown economics at its most effective)

I suspect Elon is paying a delta V penalty for the fast transits even after consumables are accounted for. The other aspects (reduced chance of solar storm during the trip, human muscle loss in zero G) is what’s really pushing the fast transit approach.

You can only keep doing things “the way it has always been done” if you don’t intend to do anything new.

Less efficient than a hohhmann transfer sure, but more efficient than a fast transit followed by entering a parking orbit.

I’m slightly curious as well what the associated dV gains are by shortening the travel time and reducing the total weight of carried consumables? I’m just a layman who loves MOAR STRUTS sadly...

Er... you may be confusing Direct Entry (the act of hitting the atmosphere at interplantry velocities at the right place to slow all the way to landing speed in a single pass without using fuel, like Viking and Pathfinder) with Fast Transit. (Taking a more fuel expensive, faster transfer than a Hohmann Transfer, but…

The problem is that the author’s hab idea would not survive elon’s planned fuel-saving Direct Entry approach, on both the mars end and returning to earth. actually inserting into an orbit would more than kill any benifit from using the hab approach.

I watched Elon’s presentation with a group of professional interplanetary mission designers (again, not bragging but info). We were enraptured by the ideas but often broke out into irrepressible giggling.

Torch.

I wouldn’t call the Bigelow modules that well understood yet. They have yet to even test their larger module.

Okay, add an aerobraking shell to the Hab module. It still makes more sense than landing and launching tens or hundreds of tons of mass you won’t use.

How does an object rotating in space in microgravity add complexity?

The rotating Hab is built using the exact same methods as the current ISS. It’s been proven for over a decade. It’s pie-right-on-your-plate.

It’s LESS mass than the big-ass Ship.

I don’t think so; the manufacturing costs for the much smaller Ship will be much, much less, and the Hab units are based on current technology that’s well understood. Almost everything needed for them is already being built.

That’s interesting, like the Hab modules could be in one of those permanent figure-8 orbits between Earth and Mars?

DAE like real life Ironman? Please uprocket

But the Hab IS reusable – possibly more so than the main Ship itself, since it encounters so much less stress. And it’s not a short journey – 80 days is the BEST case, and that’s just for Mars. He wants these to go to Europa, Callisto, beyond.

My design would actually allow for MORE room in the hab module!

First, thanks for believing in me. Second, my Beetle is running just fine!

You know no one is forcing you to read it, right? Unless someone IS forcing you to read it. In which case, blink twice.