Asteroid Mining Ventured Backed By Google Execs.....

[MMC]

http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/epRQzCkB.pcntUFjcRedVw--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Y2g9Njc1O2NyPTE7Y3c9MTIwMDtkeD0wO2 R5PTA7Zmk9dWxjcm9wO2g9MzU1O3E9ODU7dz02MzA-/http://l.yimg.com/os/152/2012/04/24/planetary-resources-prospecting-jpg_015851.jpg

A newly unveiled company with some high-profile backers — including filmmaker James Cameron and Google co-founder Larry Page — has announced plans to mine near-Earth asteroids for resources such as precious metals and water.
Planetary Resources, Inc. (http://www.space.com/15391-asteroid-mining-space-planetary-resources-infographic.html) intends to sell these materials, generating a healthy profit for itself. But it also aims to advance humanity's exploration and exploitation of space, with resource extraction serving as an anchor industry that helps our species spread throughout the solar system.

Two of the resources the company plans to mine are platinum-group metals and water, Anderson said. [Images: Planetary Resources' Asteroid Mining Plans (http://www.space.com/15387-asteroid-mining-planetary-resources-gallery.html)]

http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/pz2Fmu14Gv2wlUgWfghaHA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NTt3PTYzMA--/http://l.yimg.com/os/152/2012/04/24/water-rich-asteroid-capture-jpg_020151.jpg

Many asteroids are rich in water, too, another characteristic the company plans to exploit. Once extracted, this water would be sold in space, providing significant savings over water launched from the ground.
Asteroid water could help astronauts stay hydrated and grow food, provide radiation shielding for spaceships and be broken into its constituent hydrogen and oxygen, the chief components of rocket fuel, Anderson said.....snip~

http://news.yahoo.com/asteroid-mining-venture-backed-google-execs-james-cameron-011205183.html

Thus it begins.....Sponsors to Corporate mining on Near Earth Asteroids. Wonder what else they will bring back going about the captalistic ventures into space.

[Conley]

Very interesting...I can see how they will profit on the minerals but how will they profit on space water?

[MMC]

Very interesting...I can see how they will profit on the minerals but how will they profit on space water?


That guy is saying they wont have to bring water from the planet then. Thats what I am getting from it. That second picture is how they plan to catch the asteroid. Then I think the shell will close over it. or that they will be able to work on it while held.

[Conley]

So they'll deliver water to the International Space Station or Newt's Moon Base?

This sounds a long way from reality but I guess those guys have to put their money somewhere. Stocks and bonds sure aren't cutting it these days.

[Peter1469]

It certainly has the potential to add enough money to the economy to pay for all of the liberal social programs.

[MMC]

Yeah but do you think thats what will take place? That they will seek to use the money from these resources in order to provide for all these Entitlement Programs.

[Captain Obvious]

Yeah, just don't give Massey the contract.