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> Once we set up an array of space telescopes throughout cislunar space (the volume inside the Moon’s orbit) we’ll get pictures of the SMBs in the cores of every nearby galaxy and that’s when the science really gets started.

This gave me goosebumps. That's the kind of stuff that justifies a permanently inhabited moon-base.

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How? It justifies telescopes on Moon, not people on Moon.

It justifies telescopes on the really high orbit, but not on the Moon: unless telescope is manufactured on the Moon, logistics of flying large telescope there and safely landing it are so complex, that it’s way easier to leave in Earth’s orbit and get same results from there.

Stationkeeping within a fraction of a millimeter is much easier when your instrument is on solid ground. It might simplify the platform to the point where descent into the lunar gravity well is worthwhile.

Building on the surface destroys the entire benefit of the project. The moon isn’t large enough to give you the effective ape rather size you need - if it was you’d be fine on earth.

The point would be to combine this with the earth-based telescopes to create a 400,000km aperture.

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