It would seem that, the mass or weight become a lot more insignificant
after the Earth's gravitational field's influence on the space craft
is reduced as a result of the increased distance between the Earth and
the space craft.

The mass of a spacecraft directly impacts the energy needed to change
course and attitude, and thus the fuel required during the journey.

Unfortunately, the political and environmental concerns are probably
insurmountable even if the technology is now adequate.

Rightly so. Technology may be up to the task, but nuclear reactors
increase the degree to which human error (a constant) or human evil
(also a constant) would impact the world. We are actually getting to
the point where the old cartoons of the mad scientist flying to the moon
to blow up the earth could actually come to pass, in some form.

Jose
--
"There are 3 secrets to the perfect landing. Unfortunately, nobody knows
what they are." - (mike).
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