Embedded Files
A 50,000ft View of Asteroid Mining
Asteroid mining, put simply, is the attempt to extract valuable metals that are difficult to procure on Earth from asteroids. As our global energy needs change, we are becoming increasingly dependent while simultaneously depleting the supply of metals on Earth such as Platinum, and other Platinum Group Metals, (PGM)'s, such as Iridium and Ruthenium. Some of the most common uses for Platinum are jewelry, catalytic converters, and medical technology. Increased availability of these resources would be essential in continuing human development.
NASA Continues Psyche Asteroid Mission NASA's illustration of the Psyche Spacecraft, June 2020
Where are these Asteroids?
Asteroids suitable for mining are located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, as well as among near-Earth objects (NEOs). NEOs are particularly attractive due to their proximity, making them more accessible and requiring less energy to reach compared to the distant asteroid belt. The logistics of accessing these celestial bodies involve significant challenges, including precise navigation, landing, and mining operations in a microgravity environment.
Asteroids - quick facts | Down2Earth Graphic of the Asteroids showing where they're located
What Asteroids are we Searching For?
A brief summary of asteroids and the ones that miners are targeting is needed. There are three main kinds of asteroids, being Carbonaceous (C-type), Stony or Salicaceous, (S-type), and Metallic (M-type). For asteroid mining, scientists are interested in M-type asteroids. While it is difficult to detect exactly what types of metals are in all of these M-type asteroids, we can detect the presence of PGM's which startups such as Astro Forge are targeting (Gunia). This is able to be accurately detected using spectroscopic techniques, which analyze the reflected wavelengths from an asteroid upon being hit by light. "Analysis techniques, including taxonomic classification, direct comparisons to meteorites and pure materials, band parameter analysis, and physical models of light scattering, are customized to the specific science question under study" (Emery). These spectroscopic techniques are conducted by a variety of different telescopes, from those on the ground, those in space, and those approaching these asteroids like the Psyche mission.
Accurate detection of an asteroid's composition is essential to ensure that a mining expedition would be going to a mineral rich asteroid, such as Psyche. Psyche is an asteroid that will be visited by a spacecraft in 2029, giving us our most detailed analysis of asteroid composition yet.
Who's Leading the Charge
The innovation of the Asteroid Mining industry is being led by both countries and private companies. Major political powers such as the United States and China, as well as private startups such as AstroForge making the major advancements. All parties involved look to benefit from the immense mineral resources present on asteroids which could reshape the global economy in their favor through control of major supplies of these valuable metals.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse