Category: Space Resources
About the raw materials and resources obtained from asteroids and other extraterrestrial bodies
Smithsonian Unveils Bennu Asteroid Sample, Previews Future U.S. Exhibits
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., marked a notable event with the debut of a piece of asteroid Bennu. This sample is part of the collection returned to Earth by NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, which completed its journey by landing in Utah. At the [more…]
The Economics of Space Mining: A Science Fiction Dream or Commercial Quandary
It’s hard to quantify the worth of scientific breakthroughs. However, the commercial viability of asteroid mining remains questionable, unless we’re imagining a scenario straight out of science fiction where metals cost a fortune. In reality, Earth itself offers more economically feasible options for metal extraction. Although innovation [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…]
NASA’s Psyche Mission to Metal-Rich Asteroid Sparks Conversation on Future of Asteroid Mining
NASA’s Psyche mission, set to launch on October 12, 2023, is the first of its kind to study an M-type (metallic) asteroid, known as asteroid 16 Psyche. This mission aims to uncover secrets about our Solar System’s formation and evolution, but it’s also fuelling interest in the [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…]