Asteroid Mining explores the exciting potential of extracting resources from asteroids, envisioning a future where space missions become self-sufficient. This book examines the science and technology needed to unlock the resource potential of asteroids. Successfully harnessing asteroid resources could revolutionize space exploration by providing essential materials like water for propellant and rare elements for advanced technologies.
The book begins by introducing the diversity of asteroids, their location, formation, and composition and then moves into the extraction technologies. It examines current and near-future methods for mining, refining, and processing asteroid materials in situ, like robotic mining.
The text also explores the economic and ethical considerations, including the potential impact on terrestrial markets. Supported by data from NASA and ESA missions, the book provides a balanced and realistic approach to the potential and challenges of asteroid mining.
