[michaelt]

I'm talking about the Apollo Lunar Module.

You know, this bit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Lunar_Module that descended to the moon, landed, some guys walked out and grabbed some moon rocks, then they took off again and made it back to earth.

That's a rocket-propelled space vehicle gently landing tail first, and ready for immediately reuse.

Given that it clearly had been done, I doubt anyone who knew what they were talking about was telling Musk it couldn't be done.

[throw5959]

I don't know how to put this if you don't see the difference yourself by now, but that's not an orbital rocket that could lift anything from Earth nor land back there. One huge problem is hypersonic aerodynamics, something you absolutely don't care about on the Moon. The payload weight can be much greater due to tiny gravity. Google "tyranny of the rocket equation".

[gus_massa]

It's not reused. Only the top half goes up. The bottom half with the legs and descending engine is still in the Moon.