Was also involved in an analysis of making this possible. Still difficult thing to do if we cannot easily determine the value of resources there. Not too much different from mining the earth or ocean, though the risks and costs are still far different. Look forward to new data. Its also been brought up much recently: 'space elevator' solutions.
NASA debuts the spacecraft bound for the $700-quintillion Psyche 16 asteroid
Although the bottom line has been cast into doubt. By Chris Young
NASA's Psyche spacecraft was shown off to the world as the space agency prepares for its summer launch.
NASA showcased its Psyche spacecraft for civilians — protective smock-wearing members of the media — to see before engineers make the final adjustments and the machine is sent to Florida in anticipation of liftoff in August.
The spacecraft will launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida before making a roughly three-year trip to Psyche 16, an asteroid that could be a target for future space mining missions.
Will NASA's spacecraft uncover precious space metals?
One early estimate suggested the roughly 173-mile-wide Psyche 16 contains approximately $700 quintillion in heavy metals, though this initial analysis has been cast in doubt by follow-up studies. The initial estimate was made using spectroscopy readings, but gravitational calculations suggest the asteroid has a lower mass than would be expected from a space rock composed mainly of iron and nickel — leading some to believe it only has a thin outer coating composed of heavy metals.
The only recourse left is to actually travel to the asteroid, which is exactly what NASA will do with its Psyche mission. Now, NASA is showcasing its spacecraft to the world thanks to the press event it held on Monday, April 11, during which the asteroid-bound machine was on full display .... '
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