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Asteroids
A unique, wide-ranging examination of asteroid exploration
and our future in space Human travel into space is an
enormously expensive and unforgiving endeavor. So why go? In this
accessible and authoritative book, astrophysicist Martin Elvis
argues that the answer is asteroid exploration, for the strong
motives of love, fear, and greed. Elvis's personal motivation is
one of scientific love-asteroid investigations may teach us about
the composition of the solar system and the origins of life. A more
compelling reason may be fear-of a dinosaur killer-sized asteroid
hitting our planet. Finally, Elvis maintains, we should consider
greed: asteroids likely hold vast riches, such as large platinum
deposits, and mining them could provide both a new industry and a
funding source for bolder space exploration. Elvis explains how
each motive can be satisfied, and how they help one another. From
the origins of life, to \"space billiards,\" and space sports, Elvis
looks at how asteroids may be used in the not-so-distant future.
eBook
Asteroids : how love, fear, and greed will determine our future in space
Human travel into space is an enormously expensive and unforgiving endeavor. So why go? In this accessible and authoritative book, astrophysicist Martin Elvis argues that the answer is the asteroid exploration, for motives of love, fear, and greed. Elvis's personal motivation is one of scientific love - asteroid investigations may teach us about the composition of the solar system and the origins of life. A more compelling reason may be fear - of a large asteroid hitting our planet. Finally, Elvis maintains, we should consider greed: asteroids likely hold vast riches, such as large platinum deposits, and mining them could provide both a new industry and a funding source for bolder space exploration. Elvis explains how each motive can be satisfied, and how they help one another. From the origins of life, to \"space billiards\" and space sports, Elvis looks at how asteroids may be used in the not-so-distant future.
Book
Potential of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans to Grow on and Bioleach Metals from Mars and Lunar Regolith Simulants under Simulated Microgravity Conditions
The biomining microbes which extract metals from ores that have been applied in mining processes worldwide hold potential for harnessing space resources. Their cell growth and ability to extract metals from extraterrestrial minerals under microgravity environments, however, remains largely unknown. The present study used the model biomining bacterium Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans to extract metals from lunar and Martian regolith simulants cultivated in a rotating clinostat with matched controls grown under the influence of terrestrial gravity. Analyses included assessments of final cell count, size, morphology, and soluble metal concentrations. Under Earth gravity, with the addition of Fe3+ and H2/CO2, A. ferrooxidans grew in the presence of regolith simulants to a final cell density comparable to controls without regoliths. The simulated microgravity appeared to enable cells to grow to a higher cell density in the presence of lunar regolith simulants. Clinostat cultures of A. ferrooxidans solubilised higher amounts of Si, Mn and Mg from lunar and Martian regolith simulants than abiotic controls. Electron microscopy observations revealed that microgravity stimulated the biosynthesis of intracellular nanoparticles (most likely magnetite) in anaerobically grown A. ferrooxidans cells. These results suggested that A. ferrooxidans has the potential for metal bioleaching and the production of useful nanoparticles in space.
Journal Article
Giant leap. Space mining is here, led by this tiny country
With a decades-long track record of making space a profitable business, Luxembourg is betting big on everything from space resources, satellites and training the next generation of space entrepreneurs.
Streaming Video
The art of living together: space mining ecosystem, sustainability and accountability
PurposeA major obstacle regarding the measurement of an organization's sustainability and accountability in the space economy is defining the context and boundaries of commercial activity in outer space. Here, we introduce an ecosystem framework to address this obstacle. We utilize this framework to analyze the space mining sector. Our ecosystem framework sets the space mining sector's boundaries and helps a firm identify key stakeholders, activities, policies, norms and common pool resources in that sector and the interactions between them; a significant step in structuring how to measure space sustainability and accountability.Design/methodology/approachBorrowing theories and perspectives from a wide range of academic fields, this paper conducts a comprehensive context analysis of the space mining ecosystem.FindingsUsing our ecosystem framework to define the context and set boundaries for the space mining sector allowed us to identify sustainability-related issues in the sector and offer roadmaps to develop sustainability measures and standards.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first papers to introduce a framework to define boundaries in the global space economy and provides a tool to understand, measure and evaluate the space mining sector's environmental, social and economic issues.
Journal Article
A Review of Different Aspects of Off-Earth Drilling
Off-Earth drilling may be assumed as the second phase of space exploration to discover the unrevealed subsurface on the planetary bodies. It accelerates future space objectives such as in-situ propellant production, mineral exploitation, and space tourism. Owing to the rampant progress in modern technology, the new drill tools mounted on the sophisticated robots are capable to drill the planetary regolith dispersed on the celestial objects; however, formidable obstacles such as microgravity, vacuum condition, and temperature fluctuation as well as the weight limitation, lack of real-time drilling analysis, and remote robot-operator communication impose pressing restrictions on the quick development of space drilling tools. In this study, research on the past and present aspects of off-Earth drilling has been implemented to illuminate the horizon of this technology in the near-term future. The context encompasses a detailed description of the limitations, applications and mechanisms of the different drilling techniques adopted for planetary bodies. A particular emphasis is put on the hydraulic power systems which have not been satisfactorily deployed in off-Earth drilling yet. The research strives to glance over the pivotal aspects of off-Earth drilling to contribute to the future drilling programs planned by the national and private space agencies.
Journal Article
Toward Sustainable Mining: Exploring Alternative Mineral Resources and Innovative Extraction Techniques
The relentless pace of industrialisation and globalisation has precipitated the rapid depletion of surface mineral deposits, presenting a formidable challenge to conventional mining operations and exerting a detrimental impact on their profitability. This depletion, coupled with the escalating demand for minerals, has driven prices to unprecedented highs, thereby inflating operating costs across various industries. Traditional surface and underground mining methods, struggling to meet burgeoning demands, contribute significantly to environmental degradation and substantial energy consumption. In response to these challenges, this study advocates for a paradigm shift from conventional mining methods and mineral resources toward untapped alternatives that hold the potential for enhanced economic viability and sustainability. Utilising environmentally friendly techniques and adopting more economical approaches becomes paramount in addressing the pressing demands of the current era and securing resources for future generations. This short review examines potential alternative mineral resources and the associated mining methods, including fluidised mining, deep-sea mining, brine mining, urban mining, in-situ and heap leaching, and space mining. A meticulous evaluation of the state-of-the-art technologies developed for these unconventional methods is conducted, including an assessment of their respective advantages and disadvantages. Finally, the study deliberates on the prospects of each approach, elucidating their potential contributions to alleviating the global metal crisis. This research provides insights that can inform sustainable mining practices and guide the industry toward a more environmentally responsible and economically viable future. The urgency of such a transition is underscored by the need to address the challenges posed by conventional mining and ensure the availability of mineral resources for generations to come.
Journal Article
3D Geoinformation-Based Modelling of Interests on Space Exploration
Today, with the rapid development of space technologies, the number of missions and research on celestial bodies is increasing. Space missions to a number of celestial bodies, such as the Moon and Mars, are being planned by countries. In this context, studies and discussions continue on issues such as property rights related to celestial bodies and, in this context, how to use different resources such as minerals and how to regulate the restrictions needed for different purposes such as the space heritage. Today, there is a need for studies that will contribute to the interoperability between applications, researchers and institutions, based on data modelling, in order to establish an international business framework on the subject. In this direction, this study aims to initiate an approach that will allow the creation of three-dimensional (3D) digital models of physical objects and logical spaces in the context of possible interests that may exist on the surface of celestial bodies or underground, by extending the open geodata standard, namely CityJSON in this sense. A CityJSON dataset that encompasses the selected cases containing the craters and locations that cover possibly water on the lunar south pole is created, and then it is visualised in different tools. The initial results are expected to contribute to increasing the efficiency in planning of scientific research missions to celestial bodies and to the establishment of legal frameworks to be developed for the equal utilisation of space resources.
Journal Article