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 economic potential of asteroid mining.

Asteroid 16 Psyche is estimated to contain metals worth a staggering 10 quintillion dollars. While current technology allows for the extraction and return of small asteroid samples to Earth, as demonstrated by missions like Hayabusa2 and OSIRIS-REx, the feasibility of large-scale asteroid mining remains an open question.

Scientists and entrepreneurs alike are keenly watching the mission for insights into this futuristic industry.