Posted by Dusty

The difference is though that the trips to the Moon had all intentions of getting the astronauts back safe and sound, and relatively soon. Going to say... Io would practically be throwing your life away. Even if you do survive and slingshot back home, what will you be coming back to? Your body has probably sustained serious SAS and everyone you left will have most likely moved on. Mars is much more practical, but still a bit timely compared to the Moon... but chances are their families will still be together and intact when they get back. It'd only be a few years at the max, comparable to deploying a soldier, imo.