Mining Interplanetary Resources

摘要

Near Earth Objects are frequently viewed as presenting an impact hazard. However they also represent a mining resource for materials development in low earth orbit or on the moon's surface. The materials which may be exploited include volatiles e.g. water , silicates and metals. Crypto-cemetery asteroids are identified as important target ore bodies capable of providing significant volatiles. We identify possible mining techniques and assess their power requirements. Mining techniques must be simple, reliable, have realizable power requirements and function in a low/no-gravity environment. The development of large area, high efficiency, deployable solar power arrays is identified as the key technological developments required before asteroid mining becomes feasible.