SLS should definitely be on the chopping block. It was a good idea to fund two possibilities for heavy lift rockets but SLS is clearly going nowhere. At this point, Bozo’s rocket seems like a better choice despite being so much farther behind in development.

But lunar gateway would be pretty useful if we really are going to establish a long term presence. It would allow:

• having the lander and the transportation be different vehicles
• keeping a backup lander convenient
• having a secure place to store extra supplies until a base can be built
• having a possible backup place for astronauts in case the lunar base has problems

Any sort of problem on lunar base would go bad real fast if the nearest help is two weeks away.

Having a place to park and transfer lets them not only use different vehicles for traveling and landing but also differently sized vehicles

…. But it’s only worthwhile if we’re establishing a long term presence