What if you had infinite budget but only 1970s rocket tech to colonize space?
With an infinite budget and 1970s rocket technology, we could achieve some extremely ambitious space projects, even without modern advancements. Here’s what would be possible: 1. Mars Colonization (Apollo-Style) Using Saturn V or equivalent, we could launch multiple heavy-lift rockets to send habitats, supplies, and people to Mars. Without modern efficiency improvements, the mission would require tons of fuel and staging , but brute force can compensate for technological limitations. Nuclear thermal rockets (already theorized in the '70s) could reduce travel time. 2. Moon Base (Extensive, Permanent) A massive lunar base is very doable by continuously launching Saturn V-sized rockets with modules, rovers, and supplies. The Apollo program already demonstrated crewed lunar landings—scaling that up is just a matter of repetition and logistics . Nuclear power and regenerative life support (already conceptualized in the '70s) could sustain a base long-term. 3. Space Stations Bigg...