I think we would have much better long term success, as well as technical innovation, if we were to send tunneling robots to the Moon first. Sending people there first and we are just reinventing the wheel.
The harsh environment of the Moon includes the vacuum, the cosmic and induced radiation on the surface, the extremes of heat and cold, and the extremely abrasive Lunar dust.
You can avoid most of it by making horizontal tunnels in the rock. The robots would need to be nuclear powered, and since they are on a one way trip, their Lunar lander could be cannibalized to turn the tunnels into habitations.
Part of the lander would be double pressure doors, reinforcing rod, panels that connect to form ceiling, walls and floors, all with electrical and heat panels and insulation built in. When the people finally show up, the tunnels should be built and tested for how they preserve air and heat.
This would mean not only could the people bring more supplies and equipment, but they could stay longer, and what is done is *cumulative*, so every trip to the Moon thereafter makes the tunnels larger, with more conveniences, until a stay on the Moon might last for six months.
Dude - that is BRILLIANT.
I can remember as a 21 year old how excited I was to be able to see the Moon landing. I had such high expectations for maned space exploration. I remember seeing 2001 and had visions of huge ships with Pan Am and TWA logos docking with a huge orbiting space station! Vacations to the Moon and Mars. To think we pissed it all away, what a tragedy.
There are already lava tubes on the moon that can be turned into human habitats and working spaces.