MMC
04-23-2012, 10:34 PM
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.
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.