Asteroid mining

1995/02/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Astronomia

The asteroids (LIA) surrounding the Earth have iron, nickel, cobalt and platinum family metals. In addition, they have more wealth of metals than any mineral found on Earth. On the other hand, scientists are increasingly confident that collisions between asteroids and Earth are not reprehensible.

Taking these two things into account, Jeffrey S. American geologist Karl has proposed the exploitation of asteroid metals in the journal Journal of Geophysical Research [J. geophys. Res, 99, 21129-21141 (1994)]. In his opinion, most asteroids, especially those containing many metals, are cherished treasures. His studies have revealed that a LIA of one kilometer contains 400,000 tons of metal from the platinum family. The current price, considering market prices, would be ⁵ x 1015 dollars. If the new metal contribution increased the current production ten times, its effect on the market would decrease the profit and the new value of everything would be ³²⁰ x 109 dollars. However, exploitation would be profitable.

In his opinion, these metals should not only be brought to Earth, but should also be used to supply space factories. For example, satellites could be manufactured for the capture of solar energy that would then emit the accumulated energy to Earth.

Mining activity would deplete metals from a 1km LIA in 20 years, while shredding the risk that threatens Earth in the future.

The development of lunar mining has been raised several times. The reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere of Mars and its conversion into oxygen and carbon dioxide has been mentioned several times. Carbon dioxide (II) would then be used as fuel in spaces. Karl has to surprise that asteroids are more profitable than the Moon and Martitz and that we could not.