Category: Asteroid Composition
About the composition of asteroids as it pertains to space mining
Asteroids May Harbor Unknown “Superheavy” Elements
New research suggests that some asteroids in our solar system might be composed of “superheavy elements,” which are elements that don’t currently exist on the Periodic Table, the most comprehensive list of 118 known chemical elements. Johann Rafelski, a physics professor at the University of Arizona and [more…]
The Enigma of Asteroid 16 Psyche: Unlocking the Potential for Space Mining and Planetary Science
NASA’s upcoming mission to asteroid 16 Psyche could have groundbreaking implications for both planetary science and the nascent asteroid mining industry. Though valued at an astounding $100,000 quadrillion, the real treasure lies in the scientific insights it could offer.While spectroscopy and radar provide limited clues to its [more…]
Long-Awaited Psyche Mission to Explore Metal-Rich Asteroid
After a one-year delay, NASA is finally set to launch its Psyche mission to the metal-rich asteroid of the same name. The launch is scheduled for Thursday at 10:16 a.m. ET from the Kennedy Space Center and will be the first NASA scientific mission launched on a [more…]
AstroForge Gears Up for Groundbreaking Mission
AstroForge, a California-based startup, is set to launch its Brokkr-2 spacecraft in the first quarter of next year, aiming to be the first private company to explore an M-type asteroid in deep space. This mission is crucial as M-type asteroids contain higher concentrations of metals compared to [more…]
Space-mined resources
Asteroids, the rocky remnants of the early solar system, are not just wandering celestial bodies but also potentially rich sources of valuable minerals and resources. Categorizing asteroids by their composition is crucial because different types offer different mining opportunities and challenges. Typically, asteroids are classified into three [more…]