|
Search | Add a publication |
| ID No : | 631 Edit | Title: | Space Mineral Resource Utilization |
| Summary / Review : | "In 2004, the world's iron steel consumption exceeded 1 billion tons. [1] Spectroscopic studies suggest certain asteroids contain much needed material such as "nickel-iron metal, silicate minerals, semiconductor and platinum group metals, water, bituminous hydrocarbons, and trapped or frozen gases including carbon dioxide and ammonia." [2] Platinum metals found in asteroid have significant richer grades (up to 20 times richer) as compared to levels found on Earth. [3] As a starting point to "asteroid colonization", Near-Earth asteroids (NEA) orbiting Earth could potentially be the first locations to excavate asteroid mines. Like many space exploration missions, cost is a determining factor. Transportation alone imposes a cost of $10,000 per kilogram for the entire mission making it simply not profitable or attractive to potential investors. A potential near-instantaneous solution would be to develop an asteroid mining economy developing of a human-commercial market. It is suggested that this scenario will create the economical and technological opportunities not available today." (Author's abstract) |
| Author(s) : |
Zhou, Gordon; Mardon, A. A., [NASA (Unspecified Center)] |
| Publication Date: | 2010 |
| Category(s) : |
ZC - Uncategorized yet, fairly recent |
| Web URL : |
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20110012525
If this link is broken, please Add Comment below. We try to keep author contact details, and a backup copy in our offline library. |
| PERMANENT code(s) : | L,U |
|
(Explanation of the last 3 rows above) |
In the row above, there are up to 4 possibilities: U = URL you can click on to get a copy instantly from another source on the internet, or request it from that source D = Downloadable from PERMANENT (such as because no other URL known...) L = LAN copy, PERMANENT has a digital copy but not downloadable from our website P = Paper copy in the PERMANENT office Typically, only 0 to 3 methods are available. |
| NTRS : | 20110012525 |
| Submitted by : | MEP |
| Comments: |
Please add your thoughtful Comments to this paper after reading it. All comments are reviewed and approved before being posted publicly below. If you wish to submit a private comment to the curator, instead of a public comment, just write "Private" at the start of your comment. Corrections and suggested additions to our records are appreciated. |
Add Comment |