Current state of space mining ventures

The current status of space mining ventures is potentially volatile. A few years ago, it seemed that space mining was inevitable, with companies like Planetary Resources and Deep Space Industries–backed by Google’s Larry Page and Eric Schmidt–cropping up to take advantage of the predicted payoff. However, as of 2022, both Planetary Resources and Deep Space Industries have been acquired by companies that have nothing to do with space mining.

Space mining is a long-term undertaking and one that investors do not necessarily have the patience to support. The cost of getting to and from the asteroids is so high that it vastly outstrips the value of even the most precious metals that could be extracted from the asteroids.

Despite these challenges, companies like TransAstra and AstroForge are still trying to mine the cosmos. TransAstra will initially focus on mining asteroids for water to make rocket propellant, but would like to eventually mine “everything on the periodic table”. In October 2023, AstroForge plans to send a space vehicle to observe an asteroid in preparation for a later retrieval mission.

The Space Mining Market size is estimated at USD $1.70 billion in 2023, and is expected to reach USD $3.56 billion by 2028, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 16.01% during the forecast period (2023-2028).

Besides the United States, Luxembourg and the United Arab Emirates are developing innovative space mining laws, hoping to attract investment with legal frameworks that are business-friendly. While China reportedly views space-resource development as a national priority as part of a strategy to challenge the US economic and security primacy in space, Russia, Japan, India, and the European Space Agency have space-mining ambitions of their own.

While there are significant challenges associated with space mining, there is still a lot of interest and potential in this field. The development of a global legislative framework, growing enthusiasm from the private sector, the advent of feasible space mining technology, and reduction in project costs are expected to boost space mining efforts in the near future.

To provide a deeper understanding of the key players shaping the future of space mining and exploration, the following table offers a concise overview of some leading companies in this emerging industry. These organizations are at the forefront of technological innovation and are actively working to make space more accessible for commercial opportunities.

From lunar landers to in-space transportation services, each company has its unique focus and contributions to this exciting field. Take a look to learn more about their specializations, notable projects, and how they are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in space.

Entity	Description
Airbus	Airbus has developed a small, cost-efficient process called ROXY (Regolith to OXYgen and Metals Conversion) that can potentially turn lunar dust into oxygen and metals, a process which could revolutionize human space exploration. A successful demonstration of ROXY occurred at Fraunhofer IFAM in October 2020.
Asteroid Mining Corporation Ltd	Founded in 2016, Asteroid Mining Corporation is the UK’s first space mining enterprise. The company is currently focused on the prospecting and exploration stages, with the ultimate aim to extract, process, and utilize the materials embedded within some of the millions of Near Earth and Main Belt asteroids. AMC has a goal of recovering around 20 tons of platinum from the near-Earth asteroid 1986 DA by the year 2035. The company’s roadmap for this achievement consists of two missions, the first of which is called Project Drexciya and is scheduled to launch in 2027. In May 2022, AMC closed a pre-seed round with Spanish company E2IN2 S.A. This funding enables AMC to develop the Space Capable Asteroid Robotic Explorers (SCAR-E) program in partnership with Tohoku University Space Robotics Laboratory (SRL).
Astrobotic Technology	Astrobotic Technology, Inc. is a Pittsburgh-based company that was spun out of Carnegie Mellon University in 2007. The company is pioneering affordable planetary access that promises to spark a new era of exploration, science, tourism, resource utilization, and mining. Astrobotic is not strictly a space mining company but has a broad focus on making space more accessible. They are in the business of delivering scientific instruments, technologies, ideas, and innovations to space. They develop custom designs, sensor systems, and rovers for planetary surface activities such as autonomous exploration, site preparation, and resource extraction. In September 2022, Astrobotic announced the acquisition of Masten Space Systems. With this acquisition, Astrobotic added a heritage of over 600 vertical test flights and landings, propulsion testing and development, and a portfolio of lunar technologies to its existing business.
AstroForge	AstroForge is an asteroid mining company that was founded in 2021 and is headquartered in Huntington Beach, California. The company develops spacecraft payloads for extracting and refining materials in zero gravity, focusing on platinum-group metals, including platinum and iridium. AstroForge’s approach to asteroid mining is unique. Instead of bringing back the entire asteroid, they break it up, refine it, and return only what’s valuable. This approach could potentially make space mining more cost-effective and efficient. In May 2022, AstroForge announced that it had raised $13 million in seed funding. They also revealed their plans to become the first-ever viable asteroid mining company. They have developed and lab-tested new technology for processing asteroid material and have booked a ride on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket to test that tech out in orbit. AstroForge aims to mine platinum-group metals from asteroids and return the valuable resources to Earth. This could have multiple benefits, aiding U.S. national security and reducing the wear and tear on our planet.
Astronika	Astronika is a Polish company specializing in the development of advanced mechanical systems for various applications, including space missions. The company often works in collaboration with research institutions and other aerospace organizations. One of their areas of expertise includes creating specialized tools and mechanisms designed for the challenging conditions of outer space. Astronika has been involved in European Space Agency (ESA) projects and has worked on components for planetary rovers and other space exploration vehicles. Their work typically involves a high level of engineering precision, as the components they develop must operate reliably in the harsh conditions of space, including extreme temperatures, vacuum, and radiation. While Astronika is not specifically focused on asteroid mining, their expertise in developing specialized mechanical systems for space could potentially make them a key partner or contractor in such ventures. The technologies and systems they work on could be adapted or applied in the context of asteroid exploration and resource extraction missions.
Austere Engineering	Austere Engineering of Littleton, Colorado, won third place and $50,000 for its Grading and Rotating for Water Located in Excavated Regolith (GROWLER) system, in Phase 1 of Break the Ice Lunar Challenge.
Canadian Space Mining Corporation	The Canadian Space Mining Corporation (CSMC) was incorporated on November 25, 2020 and is based in Toronto. CSMC is focused on creating the infrastructure to support life in space, from advanced machinery to off-planet oxygen generation and AI. CSMC’s mission is to harness the potential of space resources and make space exploration more efficient, more self-supported, and more effective. They are working together with government, advanced manufacturing, and private industry to achieve this goal. In August 2023, CSMC announced the hiring of Dr. Andrew J. Feustel, a renowned NASA astronaut and geophysicist, as the Executive Vice President of Strategy. This strategic hiring marks a significant milestone for CSMC as it strengthens its position at the forefront of space exploration and infrastructure development.
Caterpillar	Caterpillar, the American construction machinery and equipment company, has shown interest in the field of space mining, particularly through its collaborations on research and development initiatives. While Caterpillar’s primary business has historically been earth-based construction and mining equipment, the company has explored the possibility of adapting its technologies for off-Earth applications. Caterpillar has worked with organizations like NASA on various projects to study the feasibility and requirements of mining operations in space. These collaborations often focus on autonomous and remote-controlled machinery, which are areas where Caterpillar has considerable expertise. The idea is to see how the technologies developed for terrestrial mining could be adapted for the extreme conditions of space, where factors like lower gravity, higher radiation, and the absence of an atmosphere present unique challenges. While the company has not yet produced specialized equipment for space mining, their ongoing research and collaborative efforts indicate an interest in being part of this emerging field. The transition from earthbound to space-based operations would involve a range of challenges, from engineering to legal and ethical considerations, but Caterpillar’s existing expertise in automated and large-scale mining operations could make it a significant player in the future of space mining.
Cislunar Industries	Cislunar Industries was founded in 2019 and is based in Denver, Colorado. Cislunar Industries aims to process and provide critical metal materials to meet the needs of their customers, in space and on the surface of celestial bodies, anywhere in the solar system. They are developing an engineering solution to enable the recycling of spent upper stages, satellites, and space debris, which could transform otherwise dangerous material into feedstock for on-orbit manufacturing. In February 2023, Cislunar Industries and its partners were awarded a $1.7M Direct-to-Phase II SBIR contract by SpaceWERX, the innovation arm of the U.S. Space Force. This newly funded collaboration project-—a circular propulsion ecosystem based on the ability to recycle metal in space to enable enhanced satellite mobility-—directly addresses the Space Force’s desire to make space operations more resilient.
Darkoob	Darkoob, a space mining company, was founded in 2020 and is based in Italy. Darkoob’s mission is to improve the quality of the mining process on celestial bodies. Their technology aims to protect astronauts and equipment from the hazardous dust generated during extraction. Darkoob proposed a lightweight pressurized chamber (LEXICON) to be installed around mining equipment to collect regolith samples safely. This structure could also be used to perform scientific experiments and serve as a regolith feeding system for In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) plants.
Deep Space Industries (DSI)	Deep Space Industries (DSI), founded in 2012 and sold in 2019, was a U.S.-based company founded to pursue asteroid mining, but which more recently has focused on deep space smallsats (small spacecrafts approximately the size of a kitchen refrigerator). Deep Space Industries had plans to develop a series of spacecraft to prospect, and eventually mine, asteroids. One of their early projects was a spacecraft named “Prospector-1,” designed to survey and study near-Earth asteroids. The company also had ambitions to provide “in-space services,” aiming to create a supply chain that would support both Earth-based and space-based industries. This could include providing raw materials for manufacturing in space, thus eliminating the need to launch such materials from Earth. In addition to mining, Deep Space Industries looked into technologies related to propulsion, such as water-based thrusters, which could be fueled by resources obtained from asteroids. They also considered offering services like satellite refueling in orbit, which would extend the lifespan of satellites and possibly reduce the amount of space debris. However, in January 2019, Deep Space Industries was acquired by Bradford Space, a U.S.-based company that specializes in propulsion systems and spacecraft components. Since the acquisition, the focus has shifted more toward providing in-space technologies and services rather than asteroid mining. The acquisition marked a turning point for Deep Space Industries, but it remains an interesting case study in the challenges and opportunities that face companies aiming to pioneer new industries beyond Earth.
Deltion Innovations	Deltion Innovations Ltd. is a Canadian company that specializes in the design of mining equipment. The company is based in Capreol, Ontario. Deltion Innovations has been designing and fabricating drilling and excavation technology for more than a decade, specializing in transferring and adapting technologies developed in the space sector to the terrestrial market and vice versa. The company has been awarded contracts by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) to work on new devices designed for future mining on the Moon and Mars. One such device is the Percussive and Rotary Multi-Purpose Tool (PROMPT), which has been designed for potential use on exploration and prospecting missions. This tool can drill into rock and other materials, capture different samples, and perform various robotic tasks such as construction, maintenance, and repairs. Deltion Innovations’ CEO, Dale Boucher, has stated that there’s a lot of money being thrown into very early-stage R&D that is specific to space mining. He believes that terrestrial miners can leverage these investments to make small incremental advances in their own operations, thereby improving their productivity and return on investment (ROI) in a very short period of time. As of now, Deltion Innovations continues to contribute to the field of space mining with its innovative technologies and solutions.
European Space Agency (ESA)	European Space Agency (ESA) has shown interest in asteroid mining and has been involved in research and missions that could pave the way for such endeavors. One of the most notable missions is the Hera mission, part of the AIDA (Asteroid Impact & Deflection Assessment) collaboration with NASA’s DART (Double Asteroid Redirect Test) mission. While the primary goal of AIDA and Hera is to study asteroid deflection and impact mitigation, the data collected could also be valuable for future asteroid mining operations. ESA also supports scientific and technological research that could be applicable to asteroid mining, although the agency has not committed to an asteroid mining mission specifically. Research on various space technologies, such as propulsion systems, robotic arms, and spectrometers, could all have applications in asteroid mining. The agency has also hosted conferences and workshops that have included discussions on the potential for asteroid mining, both in terms of its scientific and commercial potential. These discussions often also delve into the legal and ethical considerations of exploiting space resources.
Helios	Helios is a company headquartered in Sarasota, Florida, that is developing technologies to extract and utilize metals and oxygen from Martian and lunar soil. The company’s mission is to foster sustainable human life both on Earth and in space. Helios has developed an electrolysis reactor that can extract oxygen and various metals from oxides found on Martian and lunar surfaces. This technology is being used to provide essential rocket fuel oxidizer (oxygen) on-site, thereby lowering the expenses of future space missions. In addition to its space applications, Helios has also achieved a significant breakthrough in producing iron from iron ore on Earth, employing only thermal energy and releasing only oxygen emissions. This green steel technology requires less energy and operating costs, making it an economical and ethical choice. As of August 2023, Helios had raised $8.5 million in seed funding. The company continues to innovate in the field of space mining and resource utilization.
Interstellar Mining	Interstellar Mining is a company that aims to develop a robotic water mining operation on the Moon. The company was formed in September 2019 in Toronto, Canada as a consortium between Watts, Griffis and McOuat Ltd. (“WGM”), Deltion Innovations Ltd., and Paolo Lostritto, an experienced mine financier. Interstellar Mining’s vision is to prospect, explore, and establish the first viable water and volatile mine on the lunar surface. They aim to accomplish this as responsible corporate citizens who will follow the directives of the Outer Space Treaty (1967) which include the peaceful development of off-world resources and non-interference with others.
Intuitive Machines	Intuitive Machines is a private aerospace company that specializes in developing autonomous systems, including spacecraft. The company is known for its work on lunar landers and has been a part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program. This program aims to contract private companies to deliver payloads to the Moon, offering a new way for lunar exploration missions to be conducted. In 2020, as part of NASA’s CLPS program, Intuitive Machines received a contract to collect samples of lunar regolith and transfer ownership to NASA by 2024. This marks a new approach by NASA to acquire lunar materials, and it signifies the growing role of private companies in space exploration missions. The work done by Intuitive Machines is considered an important step in advancing the United States’ goals for space exploration, including the Artemis program which aims to land humans on the Moon by the mid-2020s and establish a sustainable human presence by the end of the decade.
iSpace	ispace is a private Japanese company focused on lunar exploration and development. Founded in 2010, the company aims to pave the way for commercial activities on the Moon. One of its main goals is to explore and utilize lunar resources, especially water, which is crucial for sustaining human activities in space and can also be converted into rocket fuel. The company was initially known for participating in the Google Lunar XPRIZE, a competition that aimed to encourage private entities to develop low-cost methods for robotic space exploration. Although the prize ultimately went unclaimed, ispace continued its efforts in lunar exploration. Their lunar lander and rover designs aim to explore the Moon’s surface, particularly the poles, where water ice is believed to exist. By understanding the availability and distribution of this vital resource, ispace aims to contribute to the sustainable development of a lunar economy. To support these ambitious goals, ispace has secured funding from various sources, including venture capital and strategic partnerships.
JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency)	The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is Japan’s national aerospace and space agency, responsible for space exploration, research, and development. In terms of asteroid mining or space resource utilization, one of JAXA’s most notable missions is the Hayabusa2 mission, which successfully collected samples from the asteroid Ryugu and returned them to Earth in December 2020. While the primary goal of Hayabusa2 was scientific research, the technologies and methods developed for the mission could potentially be applied to future asteroid mining endeavors.
Lunar Resources Registry	The Lunar Resources Registry (LRR) is a registry for the exploration and extraction of resources from the Moon. The LRR has developed an Open Lunar Registry and Commercial Resources Registrations. The Open Lunar Registry is a free-to-access platform designed as a highly visual and educational tool for students and universities to explore activity on the Moon. It includes 74 locations and all recent missions to the surface of the Moon. It’s important to note that a registration with LRR is not a claim or right to ownership of any part of the Moon. The LRR also provides a Lunar Governance platform that monitors all known human activity on the Moon, including actual missions, planned landing zones, lunar pits, and more. This platform requires registration and login. In addition, the LRR shows potential lunar mines, development zones, infrastructure bases, plus existing missions, planned missions, and heritage zones. The LRR is building the business of space resources by determining where exactly on the Moon are the resources of value and how an entity can secure the commercial rights to extracted resources in order to build a business case and attract investors to conduct the required exploration and extraction operations. The LRR provides the building blocks for commercial resources operations on the lunar surface within a 10-year timeframe.
Luxembourg government	The government of Luxembourg has taken several steps to attract space mining ventures and position itself as a hub for space resources. Here are some key initiatives: 1. Investment: The government has invested more than $200 million in research, technology demonstration, and in the direct purchase of equity in companies relocating to Luxembourg. 2. SpaceResources.lu Initiative: This initiative positions Luxembourg as a pioneer in the exploration and utilization of space resources. It includes a unique legal, regulatory, and business environment, enabling private investors and companies to explore and use space resources. 3. European Space Resources Innovation Centre (ESRIC): Luxembourg announced plans to create ESRIC, which is in charge of laying the foundations for exploiting extra-terrestrial resources. 4. Promotion of Commercial Space Activity: Luxembourg has promoted itself as a European hub for commercial space activity. The country’s space sector now consists of more than 50 companies and two public research organizations that cover various segments of the industry.
May Marom	May Marom is an aerospace company based in Israel that specializes in space resources utilization. The company was founded in 2019. May Marom develops and builds a humidity extraction system for vacuum, low gravity, and harsh environments. This system uses microwave-based technology to extract humidity and other volatiles from rock, regolith, and permafrost planetary soil. The company’s stance is that by creating a system that provides water in space, it will allow cheaper and easier access to our solar system for new and smaller “players”. This could potentially revolutionize the way we approach space exploration and resource utilization.
Minespace	Minespace was created in 2022 and is based in the Czech Republic. Minespace designs, manufactures, and uses an asteroid-mining spacecraft to acquire fuel (hydrogen) to fasten space missions, boost space infrastructure, and achieve human sustainability. Their role in the infrastructure is mining asteroids to fuel spacecrafts and satellites. This allows gathering information about asteroids and provides the most important part of the infrastructure. Fuel acquired outside Earth will lower the costs of space exploration and colonization and fasten space missions making them more attractive.
Momentus	Momentus is a U.S.-based aerospace company focused on providing in-space transportation services. The company aims to develop and offer technologies that can move satellites and other payloads between different orbits, extend the lifespan of satellites, and provide other logistical services in space. Momentus plans to achieve this through its spacecraft, known for their use of water-based propulsion systems. The company’s vision is to make space more accessible and to facilitate various types of missions, ranging from satellite deployments to more complex operations like asteroid mining or space manufacturing. Momentus sees itself as a sort of “last-mile delivery service” in space, completing the journey that rockets start by delivering payloads to their final orbits or destinations. However, it’s worth noting that Momentus has faced regulatory challenges. For example, the U.S. government has scrutinized the company’s compliance with federal laws related to foreign ownership and control, given that the company was initially founded by a Russian national. These concerns have had an impact on the company’s ability to secure necessary licenses for some of its operations. Despite these challenges, Momentus is considered part of a growing wave of private companies that aim to expand the commercial opportunities available in space. Alongside other companies like Planetary Resources, Deep Space Industries, and TransAstra, Momentus aims to develop technologies and business models that could be crucial for future endeavors such as space mining.
Moon Express	Moon Express was founded in 2010 by a group of Silicon Valley and space entrepreneurs with the goal of mining the Moon for natural resources of economic value. Moon Express has developed a family of flexible, scalable robotic explorers capable of reaching the Moon and other solar system destinations from Earth orbit. The MX spacecraft architecture supports multiple applications, including delivery of scientific and commercial payloads to the Moon at low cost using a rideshare model, or charter science expeditions to distant worlds. The company’s maiden robotic expeditions to the Moon aim to redefine the possible by bringing the Moon within reach of everyone. As of February 2020, Moon Express is focused on supporting NASA under its Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) contract.
NASA	NASA, the United States’ space agency, has been actively involved in research related to asteroid mining and space resource utilization. While NASA’s primary mission is scientific exploration, understanding the composition and characteristics of asteroids is a critical component of assessing their potential as targets for future mining activities. The OSIRIS-REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security, Regolith Explorer) mission is a prime example of NASA’s involvement in asteroid mining research. OSIRIS-REx was launched in 2016 with the goal of studying the near-Earth asteroid Bennu and collecting a sample from its surface. In September 2023, the mission succeeded in bringing back a pristine asteroid sample back to Earth, which is expected to provide valuable insights into the composition of asteroids and the potential resources they may contain.
Neamine	The goal of Neamine, founded in 2021 and based in France, is to exploit metallic Near Earth Asteroids (NEAs) to respond to the global demand for rare metals such as Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) and Rare Earths. NEAs are celestial bodies ranging in size from one meter to several kilometers in diameter that evolve near the Earth. Today more than 28,000 NEAs have been identified and 5% of them are metallic. Neamine plans to analyze the NEAs from Earth to determine which ones are the most promising. They will rely on public data listed on the website of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) of NASA, or on the website of Asterank, which will allow them to select the most interesting asteroids to observe. Once this first selection is made, a deep spectrometric study on each of them will finally allow them to choose up to 5 asteroids. At the end of this first selection, the objective will be to analyze these promising asteroids “in situ” to recover a large amount of information that will allow them to choose the only asteroid that will be mined. After having chosen their target, and after having developed the technology necessary for their ambition, they will send a probe to the targeted asteroid which will allow them to exploit it and make this exploitation profitable by having a continuous return of resources to Earth.
OffWorld	OffWorld is a U.S.-based company focused on developing a new generation of smart robots for use in extreme environments, both on Earth and in space. The company aims to create a workforce of intelligent, versatile robots that can handle tasks such as mining, construction, and infrastructure repair in challenging conditions. One of OffWorld’s goals is to contribute to space exploration and eventual colonization by automating the resource extraction process on celestial bodies like the Moon, asteroids, and Mars. By making resource extraction more efficient and less reliant on human labor, OffWorld aims to accelerate the pace at which humanity can establish a sustainable presence beyond Earth. Their robots are designed to work collaboratively, learning from each other in a swarm-like fashion to complete tasks more efficiently. While the company’s long-term vision is focused on space, OffWorld also sees applications for its robotic technology in terrestrial environments. For example, their robots could be deployed in hazardous locations like deep-sea mining sites, nuclear reactors, or disaster-stricken areas, where it’s dangerous or impractical for humans to operate. OffWorld’s approach involves developing and testing their robotic technologies in Earth-bound scenarios first, before adapting them for the harsh conditions of space. This iterative, practical approach allows them to refine their systems and algorithms in real-world conditions, which could increase the likelihood of success in more ambitious, off-world applications.
Orbite Technologies	Orbite Technologies, often referred to as “Orbite,” is a Canadian company that specializes in advanced materials and clean technologies. It has been involved in various activities related to resource recovery and sustainable technologies. Here are some key points about Orbite Technologies: Alumina Production: One of Orbite’s primary areas of expertise is the production of high-purity alumina (HPA). HPA is a critical material used in the production of LED lights, lithium-ion batteries, and other advanced technologies. Orbite has developed proprietary processes for the extraction and production of HPA from various sources, including bauxite, aluminous clay, and other feedstocks. Clean Technologies: Orbite Technologies is known for its commitment to environmentally friendly and sustainable practices. Its processes aim to minimize waste and reduce environmental impact compared to traditional extraction methods. Resource Recovery: While not directly related to asteroid mining, Orbite’s work in resource recovery aligns with the broader concept of in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) in space exploration. ISRU involves extracting and using resources found on celestial bodies, like the Moon or Mars, to support human missions and reduce the need to transport materials from Earth. The expertise in extracting valuable materials from various sources could be relevant to space resource utilization efforts in the future. Advanced Materials: Orbite’s work in developing high-purity materials, such as HPA, has applications in various industries, including electronics and energy storage. In the context of space exploration, advanced materials play a crucial role in the development of spacecraft, equipment, and technologies.
Origin Space	Origin Space is a Chinese private space company with a focus on asteroid exploration and resource utilization. The company’s mission is to explore and eventually mine asteroids for valuable resources. Here are some key points about Origin Space: Asteroid Mining: Origin Space is among the companies at the forefront of the emerging field of asteroid mining. Their primary goal is to develop technologies and systems for the extraction of resources from asteroids, including precious metals and water. Exploration Missions: The company has plans to launch missions to near-Earth asteroids to study their composition and characteristics. Understanding the properties of these asteroids is crucial for planning future mining operations. Precious Metals and Resources: Origin Space’s interest in asteroid mining is driven by the potential to extract valuable resources, including rare metals like platinum and water ice. Water extraction from asteroids, for example, could support future space missions by providing a source of drinking water and rocket propellant. Technology Development: The company is actively engaged in developing the technology needed for asteroid mining, including spacecraft, robotic systems, and resource extraction methods. International Collaboration: Origin Space has expressed an interest in international collaboration and cooperation with other space agencies and organizations to advance asteroid mining research and development.
Pioneer Astronautics	Pioneer Astronautics, which was acquired by Voyager Space Holdings in 2020, develops technologies that transform local materials found in space into resources to support exploration and settlement. Under a NASA contract, the company is building and demonstrating hardware to produce oxygen and steel from lunar regolith, or moon dust.
Planetary Resources	Planetary Resources, Inc., once a high-flying company backed by billionaires with aspirations to mine asteroids, suffered funding problems and was acquired by a blockchain company, ConsenSys, Inc., in October 2018. In May 2020, ConsenSys made all Planetary Resources intellectual property available to the public domain, and in June 2020, all the remaining hardware assets were auctioned off. Therefore, Planetary Resources is no longer active in the space mining sector.
Space Mining Technologies	Space Mining Technologies is a company that operates in the space mining and space resources sectors. Space Mining Technologies develops critical technologies enabling sustainable space exploration and future settlements of the Moon and beyond. Their primary activities are related to water extraction from ice-deposits, oxygen propellant production from lunar dust, and sintering of lunar regolith into construction bricks. The company has successfully completed the Rocket Program offered by the European Space Agency in Noordwijk, the Netherlands. They have also presented a water extraction prototype at the Moon Village Association initialization conference in Strasbourg, and published and presented a paper on Lunar Propellant Depot study at IAC2018 in Bremen, Germany.
SpaceGold	SpaceGold is a company in the space mining sector, founded by rocket scientist William Mook and mineral processing engineer Hamidreza Jalilian. SpaceGold is based in Tucson, Arizona, United States. Their mission is to deliver precious metals for use in space and on the planet. They have engineered a suitable approach, simplifying the mining in space, and aim to deliver the precious metals from space in 5 years after the operation kicks off. SpaceGold is first-to-market with a patented method that mines, refines, gold and platinum group metals from deep space. This will be delivered for in-situ or terrestrial utilization. The company has teamed up with engineers from Boeing, Lockheed Martin, NASA, and TriVector Services to design, build, launch and operate their mining operations. In addition to their space mining operations, SpaceGold has also introduced the space industry into blockchain. They have designed a business model that distributes their future productions in the blockchain system.
SpaceX	SpaceX has made significant contributions to the field of space mining, also known as asteroid mining or space resources utilization. One of the key ways SpaceX is contributing to this field is by providing launch services for startups that are pioneering in space mining. For instance, the space tech startup AstroForge completed a proof-of-concept mission in April 2023 using SpaceX rockets. A second mission planned for October 2023 will send the company into deep space to gather information on an asteroid’s surface. In addition to providing launch services, SpaceX’s advancements in reusable rocket technology have significantly reduced the cost of space travel, making space mining ventures more economically feasible.
Terraxis	Terraxis is a space technology company with a mission to open the vast resources of our solar system through innovative material processing technologies. Their flagship project is the OASIS (Oxygen/Resource Acquisition System In-Situ), a cutting-edge vacuum pyrolysis reactor designed to extract valuable elements from lunar regolith. The reactor leverages inductive power transfer to superheat lunar regolith, dissociating raw minerals into component molecules such as oxygen, iron, and aluminum. With OASIS, Terraxis aims to provide NASA and other commercial entities the ability to support a sustained presence on the moon.
Thales Alenia Space	Thales Alenia Space is a major European aerospace manufacturer and a subsidiary of the Thales Group. It is one of the leading companies in the field of satellite technology, space exploration, and space systems. Here are some key points about Thales Alenia Space: Company Background: Thales Alenia Space is headquartered in Cannes, France, and it has a strong presence in the European space industry. The company was formed through a merger of two well-established aerospace companies, Thales Group and Alcatel Space, in 2005. Spacecraft and Satellites: Thales Alenia Space is known for its expertise in designing, manufacturing, and delivering a wide range of spacecraft and satellites. This includes communication satellites, Earth observation satellites, navigation satellites, and scientific spacecraft. International Collaboration: The company collaborates with various space agencies, including the European Space Agency (ESA), NASA, and others, on a variety of space missions. These collaborations often involve providing key satellite components or subsystems. Space Exploration: Thales Alenia Space has been involved in space exploration missions, including missions to Mars, the Moon, and beyond. The company provides instruments and systems for scientific exploration and planetary research. Human Spaceflight: The company has expertise in human spaceflight and has contributed to programs such as the International Space Station (ISS). It provides modules, components, and systems for human-rated spacecraft. Innovation and Technology: Thales Alenia Space is committed to innovation in the space industry. It invests in advanced technologies and solutions for satellite systems, including electric propulsion, innovative materials, and miniaturized payloads. Earth Observation: The company plays a significant role in Earth observation with a focus on environmental monitoring, climate research, and disaster management. It provides high-resolution imaging and remote sensing solutions. Space Mining and Resource Utilization: While Thales Alenia Space is primarily known for satellite technology and space exploration, it may contribute indirectly to space mining and resource utilization efforts by providing key satellite systems and technologies for monitoring and supporting resource utilization activities in space. Thales Alenia Space is a prominent player in the European and global space industry, and its contributions to satellite technology and space missions have a significant impact on space exploration, Earth observation, and scientific research in space.
TransAstra	TransAstra is a private space company headquartered in Lake View Terrace, California, that specializes in asteroid mining and space resource utilization. The company is actively engaged in developing innovative technologies and strategies to enable the extraction and utilization of resources from asteroids and other celestial bodies. Here are some key points about TransAstra: Asteroid Mining: TransAstra is at the forefront of efforts to mine asteroids for valuable resources, including water, precious metals, and other materials. The company’s primary focus is on identifying and developing technologies for asteroid mining missions. Optical Mining: One of TransAstra’s notable innovations is the concept of “optical mining.” This technique involves using concentrated sunlight to heat and vaporize volatile materials, such as water, from asteroids. Optical mining is seen as a key method for extracting resources from asteroids efficiently. Planetary Defense: In addition to resource extraction, TransAstra is involved in planetary defense efforts. By developing technologies for asteroid deflection and mitigation, the company aims to contribute to safeguarding Earth from potential asteroid impacts. NASA Collaboration: TransAstra has worked closely with NASA and received contracts and grants from the agency to develop asteroid mining technologies. The collaboration with NASA demonstrates the growing interest in asteroid mining within the space community. Space Tugs: The company is also exploring the concept of space tugs, which are spacecraft designed to transport mined resources from asteroids to locations such as lunar orbit. Space tugs could play a crucial role in future space resource utilization missions. Public Awareness: TransAstra is actively involved in raising public awareness about the potential of asteroid mining and the importance of space resource utilization. The company participates in outreach and educational activities to engage the public in space exploration discussions.
United Arab Emirates	The United Arab Emirates has been actively expanding its presence in space exploration and related industries, primarily through its space agency, the UAE Space Agency, and its ambitious space program led by the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC). While the UAE’s space program has focused primarily on areas such as satellite technology, Mars exploration (the Emirates Mars Mission or “Hope Probe”), and space science, it is possible that the country’s involvement in space mining or space resource utilization may evolve in the future. Here are a few key aspects to consider regarding the UAE’s involvement in space: Space Science and Research: The UAE has demonstrated a strong commitment to space science and research, particularly through its successful Mars mission, the “Hope Probe.” The knowledge and expertise gained from these missions could contribute to future space endeavors, potentially including space resource utilization. International Collaboration: The UAE has actively pursued collaborations with international space agencies and organizations, including NASA and ESA. Collaborations of this nature could provide opportunities for involvement in broader space initiatives, such as resource utilization. Space Economy Development: The UAE has expressed interest in developing a space-based economy and encouraging private sector involvement in space-related activities. As the space economy expands, space resource utilization could become a part of this broader strategy. Investment in Space Technology: The UAE has invested in space technology and infrastructure, including satellite manufacturing and space research facilities.