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Comment by dessimus

18 hours ago

Maybe when its actually demonstrated that it can actually launch with that payload. The largest payload they'd lifted so far is ~45 tons, and the claims I see on Wikipedia say its estimated 200 tons for LEO, not even for geosynchronous orbit much less a lunar trajectory.

20 launches would also be doable, though, if there's a reasonable launch cadence? And yeah, I don't expect they'd assemble for a Mars mission or other long range mission where they need a radiation shielded craft in geo or lunar.