Orion Launch Today

[Eric Mc]

I bet a Delta IV heavy could get it around the moon with a tortoise

That's what the Russians did with their Zonds 4,5 and 6 in 1968-69. They used a Proton rocket to send stripped down Soyuz craft around the moon as a precursor to sending a man around the moon. Indeed, I reckon a single person Dragon craft could loop around the moon on the back of a Delta IV heavy launch.

The problem is that neither the Dragon nor the Delta IV heavy has been "man rated" yet.

[Eric Mc]

I wish there was a smiley for splitting one's sides with laughter. This will have to do -

[Eric Mc]

As he has a golf course at Turnberry he might as well have one at Frau Mauro.

[Eric Mc]

That's what a lack of political will gives you.