[JumpCrisscross]

> that is still peanuts comparted to the moon's surface

Sure. I'm not trivialising the problem in an absolute sense. Just going from floating barge or chopsticks to Moon is a simpler set of problems than reïnventing the sort of translational velocity and attitude control needed to get to first base.

[sandworm101]

For selecting and touching down on an unprepared surface, rockets are not the stepping stone. Start with helicopters. It is the same problem: can I land there and what will happen when I put weight on the surface. Try programing a large helicopter to identify and land on a random chunk of rocky terrain. It is not easy. And the bigger/taller the craft, the more difficult it becomes. Then add a 10-second time limit.

[Kye]

Are the sky cranes of Mars viable without an atmosphere?

[ted_dunning]

You say this based on your history of landing rockets on the moon?

And on your history of dealing with the lunar regolith near the poles?

[JumpCrisscross]

> You say this based on your history of landing rockets on the moon?

Actually, mini propulsive landers in lunar regolith stimulant. Yes. In atmosphere and with Earth gravity, both of which make it more annoying and more difficult.