Space mining

Space mining

Space mining refers to the future practice of mining asteroids, meteoroids, the Moon and planets - any astronomical object beyond the orbit of the Earth.

The first objects likely to be mined are the near-Earth asteroids. Likely initial products include precious metals, which may be sold on Earth, and water and iron, which could be sold in Earth orbit if/when a sufficient demand develops. Another possible product is Helium 3, which is present in the Moon's regolith and could prove economical to ship to Earth as a fuel if fusion power plants become viable.

ee also

* Asteroid mining
* Space manufacturing
* Space-based industry
* In-Situ Resource Utilization

External links

* [http://www.american.edu/TED/spacemin.htm The Future of Space Mining]
* [http://www.spacefuture.com/archive/mining_economics_and_risk_control_in_the_development_of_near_earth_asteriod_resources.shtml Mining Economics and Risk-Control in the Development of Near-Earth-Asteroid Resources]


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