The thing is. What needs to happen long term is sustainable infadtructure in space. That is when we will get a really long term presence there. That makes a moon base better than a really expensive on shot trip to Mars. We did a really expensive set of one shot trips to the moon and it got us no where. We need to focus on bases that we can sustain because that will drive the technology to sustain them more cheaply over time.
We need to focus on bases that we can sustain because that will drive the technology to sustain them more cheaply over time. I agree. Building a sustained presence on the moon is doable with current technologies, and the "doing" of it will develop the skills and expertise to sustain a presence further afield.
That will drive down the cost of Mars missions, and make success that much more certain.
If you have to work out bugs in your life support systems it would be nice to be three days from home, as opposed to two years from home, or whatever.