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I assume the point of mining in space is to have raw resources that are already outside the gravity well. Not so much for bringing it to earth, but space based
by heelix 2y ago
I assume the point of mining in space is to have raw resources that are already outside the gravity well. Not so much for bringing it to earth, but space based construction.
- Simon_O_Rourke 2y agoGood point, but the assumptions are that this metal would then be used in potentially life critical systems and would require the full rigor of quality assessments for such materials. Not too sure how that might work in LEO.
- pengaru 2y agoThe vacuum of space seems like an ideal environment for producing high purity metals.
- adrianN 2y agoOnce you have all the expensive fragile gear in orbit…
- HPsquared 2y agoThat's an interesting research area!
- MattExSci 2y agoThe physics don't work to bring this stuff back to LEO. We’ve got to use the atmosphere to slow us down.
- grey-area 2y agoHow are you planning to do that in future missions? Sending up a a capsule or heat shield for sample return, or is the ultimate goal to return a larger mass and lose some? Pre-built sample return has been proven to work with another asteroid in a small way I guess, the Hayabusa mission.
- thomquaid 2y agowell, nothing is really ever lost