So as I stated, “When NASA points itself back at the Moon and only the Moon – then, and only then, will some progress be possible.

They have and will. The NASA 2010 Authorization directed NASA to include the lunar surface in future activities, a direction that the agency proceeded to ignore. The best thing about the new Space Council is that they can serve as an agency watchdog in the future, correcting attempts to slow roll national policy.

Won’t the executive branch and congress have something to say about that?

If there is easily refined ice in those cold traps then 6 SLS missions a year could land…six such lander/refineries per year and within a few years a constant flow of water would be going into wet workshops in LLO. That would mean shielding that would end radiation dosing of astronauts and a tether system could provide 1G artificial gravity allowing unlimited stays. Add nuclear propulsion and you have a true spaceship.

Very exciting to imagine it could all happen in the space of a decade or so.

Bezos has always been an advocate of Lunar ISRU development before venturing further. Additionally, Blue Origin’s Blue Moon Lunar Cargo Lander is based on their Sub-Orbital (from earth) New Shepard vehicle which has been extensively tested in ways that would support a Lunar SSTO cargo Vehicle design.

As a support system for an independent crew transport it deserves serious consideration.

Let’s hope not!

Difficult enough as it is to get people on board the idea of pursuing future human lunar activity.

Once these billionaires realize they are pouring money into the Mars drain but not much to show for it, they could re-direct their business objectives. However, lobbying for lunar equipment means need to build and fly hardware now. Unlike artwork, if problems occur physical things get damaged or lost, and someone will have to answer up to some very demanding questions. But if things do work, those responsible will be superstars.

The regulars here are in the “Moon First Lobby” but I doubt any of us are paid lobbyists making 6 figures and commuting the beltway everyday to our office near the capitol. Dr. Spudis often allows those in the “Mars Direct Lobby” to comment (they are actually NewSpace fans but since Mars is central to that ideology I include them). The problem has always been, in my view, simple human greed. Simply stated, the aerospace industry realized after Apollo 1 that Human Space Flight (Beyond Earth Orbit) was going to be hard money while cold war toys were a fortune waiting to be made. They chose the easy money. No amount of public support, short of voting politicians out of office, was going to change that direction. And here we are. NewSpace is promising big but any close look at what they are doing reveals a scam designed to place satellite launch companies in the hands of billionaire hobbyists courtesy of the taxpayer. Very little to do with HSF-BEO.

When NASA points itself back at the Moon and only the Moon, and Musk and Bezos and others stop playing their games and commit to building lunar landers then, and only then, will some progress be possible.

Interesting idea, but best be careful what is wished for.

Arguments have been made against human Mars exploration on grounds it might “corrupt” indigenous Martian life.

Not hard to picture similar arguments (however disingenuous) made against human Lunar activities.