Well, cost is a HUGE factor. And the space program has been lacking in trying to reduce the cost. They really don't have any direction, and I think that's part of the problem. They're just kind of meandering about with no clear purpose. The key, is to reduce the costs of launches. We don't want to go back to the Apollo, that would increase launch costs. But they scrapped the X-33 which would have reduced costs. The X-33 was the next generation of shuttle craft which would go up in one piece, and come down in one piece, with an increased payload. This shuttle would have reduced the costs of launches from the current $10,0000 per pound, to only $1,000 per pound. A significant difference. With an increased payload, you could then launch parts for a craft to be built in orbit which would be capable of going to the Moon and/or Mars without the cost of a launch from Earth. You'd still need a pod capable of disembrking the orbital craft, which could then land on the Moon and/or Mars, and launch again from that planet to rendevous with the oribtal craft. Of course, you'd still have to have this nayway, even if you launched from the Earth. The real key is to stop using Earth as your starting point for every destination in the Solar System. With the reduced gravity of the Moon, and Mars, you can then reduce launch costs from those places.
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