Julia Phelps
jmphelps@usc.edu
Asteroid Mining:
It’s Out of This World
Abstract:
Asteroid mining is the future source of Earth’s depleting, essential natural resources.
Through exploration and analysis, asteroid mining could become the foremost source of
fuel and energy, as well as a stable spring of minerals and core elements, such as tin,
gold, copper, and even water. Although engineers and scientists alike need to further
develop the technology needed to mine these celestial bodies, once the technology exists
there will be an almost endless supply throughout the universe. Whether it be through
refueling projects for deep space missions, or through missions to harvest fresh water for
Earth, asteroid mining is a surefire way to help build up the future and our most precious
resources. With projects like the Asteroid Retrieval and Utilization mission, asteroid
mining is no longer an impossible technology locked in the future: it is realistic, and it is
out of this world.
Biography:
Julia Phelps is currently a junior at the University of Southern California
studying Astronautical Engineering with a minor in Astronomy. She has
always been fascinated in space, and hopes to help the world by making
her mark in the Astronautical and Aerospace industry.
Introduction:
The year is 2214, and Ceres is leaving her home for work. Instead of jumping in a
standard four-door sedan, she hops into and fires up the engine of her own personal
rocket. In no time at all, she is travelling through space, hurtling past stars at what are
now perceived to be impossible speeds. Finally, she arrives at her station, an asteroid
belt. Here, she will use her ship to mine asteroids, collecting components for fuel and
other precious minerals to use back at Earth.
Many video games have simulated this
future, and soon it will not only be a
fantasy. With constantly diminishing
resources on Earth, a new energy and
vital mineral source is required. While
many scientists look to Earth when
scouring for this new origin of material,
others look to the stars. As the space
industry exponentially grows, new
possibilities open up – one of which is
asteroid mining. Through exploration
Figure 1. An artist’s depiction of asteroid mining in the future.
and analysis, asteroid mining could
become the foremost source of fuel and (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d5/Asteroidmin
ing.jpg)
energy, as well as a stable spring of
minerals and core elements, such as tin, gold, copper, and even water. Because of this,
major astronautics companies are greatly furthering the exploration of mysterious realms
of asteroids and discovering what they could offer for the future.
Asteroid Classification: Defining the Unknown
When spaceflight began in the 1960s, opportunities for exploration and discovery
exploded. In 1964, a document stated the hope that probes could fly by and analyze
asteroids by the 1970s [1]. Scientists yearned for it to be possible to study these heavenly
objects through means other than a telescope and the naked eye. This resulted in the
mission of the Pioneer 10, a probe that travelled past the asteroid belt to Jupiter in the
year 1972 [1]. Although unmanned, this mission paved the way for others and inspired
the surge of desire to learn more about those mysterious planetary bodies.
As more asteroids were discovered, different classifications emerged. One way asteroids
can be classified is by reflectance spectra [2]. The system of classification by reference
spectra, as defined by D. J. Tholen, contains eight types: S, U, B, V, W, X, P, and Z [3].
Each letter represents a filter that can detect a certain wavelength, a defining feature of an
electromagnetic wave, emitted from the asteroids. From here, the general composition of
the asteroid can be discovered. For example, the S-type filter has a maximum
wavelength of 310 nanometers, corresponding to Iron and other minerals with a similar
ionic (atomic) configuration [3]. In this way, it is easy to identify asteroids from afar,
and in the future this could be how asteroids are chosen for mining.
There are also other ways to define asteroids. One of the most prominent ways is similar
to Tholen’s method, where the asteroids are categorized by lettering once again. The
largest group in this system is the C-group. In this case, ‘C’ represents the word
carbonaceous – this means that the asteroids in the C-group are comprised primarily of
dark metals as well as clays, water, and metals like platinum, iron, and nickel [4]. Here,
the letter name of the group seems to make more sense – C for carbonaceous. Another
group is the M-group, consisting almost entirely of various metals [4]. This method
favors a more qualitative approach than Tholen’s method; that is to say, instead of relying
on electromagnetic wavelengths, it relies on composition and somewhat on appearance.
Impacting the World
Scientists first became fascinated with asteroids in 1781, when William Herschel
confirmed the existence of Uranus [5]. Many theories had been circulating surrounding
the layout of our solar systems, and what and where celestial bodies may lie. Bode’s Law
was theorized as a way to detect the location of planets, and had been correct on every
account. However, it predicted that a planet should exist between Mars and Jupiter [5].
Of course, this “planet” is the asteroid belt; thus began astronomers’ pursuit of the
asteroids. The first asteroid to be discovered
is now known as ‘Ceres’, with a radius of
476.2 km – about the size of Texas; it was
identified by Sicilian astronomer Giuseppe
Piazzi [6]. Ceres is the largest asteroid in the
asteroid belt and contains several layers: a top
layer of thin, dusty crust, a middle layer of
water and ice, and a rocky core [6]. Because
Ceres and other asteroids like it contain
elements of water, it is highly desirable to
mine asteroids for this especially precious
resource. As the world’s population grows, a
Figure 2. A depiction of what Ceres’ layers might
look like based on analysis of its composition.
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e5/
Ceres_Cutaway.jpg)
need for new ways to find or process fresh
water is pressing. With asteroid mining, the
water problem could be a thing of the past.
Another major asteroid in our solar system is a 2-km diameter C-type named Amun.
Instead of an emphasis on rock and ice like Ceres, Amun contains massive iron, nickel,
and cobalt deposits that add up to a net worth of $20 trillion dollars [4]. These metals
exist in everyday objects like cars, computer motherboards, and televisions. On an even
bigger scale, gold, which can also be found in some asteroids, is the basis for the world’s
monetary system. The metals and precious minerals from asteroids could help to
jumpstart the economy. Asteroids like Ceres and Amun are a surefire way to eliminate
the problem of certain diminishing materials; however, engineers and scientists alike
need to further develop the technology needed to mine these celestial bodies. While
techniques used on Earth such as drilling are viable options of mining, the exact methods
on an asteroid have yet to be determined. In addition, the enterprise of actually landing
on or retrieving an asteroid needs further analysis and progression.
Deteriorating Resources: Fuel, Minerals, and More
A major wall in the path of deep space travel as well as everyday life is obtaining and
replenishing fuel. For most people, the sight of the price of petroleum driving up is
agonizing. Not only that, but the resource for fuel is running out. Similarly, it is currently
highly improbable to even attempt deep-space missions due to the inability to hold
enough fuel on one rocket. Asteroid mining could fix both of these problems.
In terms of rocket fuel, one proposed method is to land on the asteroid, drill into an ice
pocket, melt the ice and harvest the water, and finally boil the water using solar power in
order to release steam and propel the spacecraft [4]. Although the idea of a steam
powered spacecraft seems unlikely, a British developer of micro spacecraft tested a
steam-powered thruster engine successfully – in an environmentally friendly way [7]! If
this technology were further developed, deep-space exploration could be revolutionized –
all by simply mining asteroids. Furthermore, the water mined and the minerals present
could prove useful in developing a replacement for fossil fuels. Another possibility is
hydraulic fracturing (fracking), where natural gas is extracted from rocks in the earth that
is in turn used to make fuels [8]. If asteroids are found to contain the right elements,
fracking to get natural gas could provide a new source of fuel.
Precious metals are also a deteriorating resource that could be revitalized with asteroid
mining. Metals surround daily life. They exist in buildings, guitars, rockets, airplanes,
calculators, and so many more objects that are critical or embedded in society.
Eventually, certain materials will become scarce. By mining these materials from
asteroids, the depletion of precious and important metals would not be an issue.
Ripe for the Picking: Asteroid Retrieval and Utilization
So asteroid mining can change the world – but is it possible? The answer is yes.
Currently, several space agencies around the world are designing missions to asteroids to
learn more about the composition and missions to actually land on the asteroids. For
example, the DAWN mission is currently travelling to two of the major asteroids: Ceres
and Vesta [9]. The purpose of this spacecraft
is to learn more about the composition,
diversity, and evolution of asteroids [9]. This
will contribute greatly to developing the
technology for asteroid mining, as it will help
in the process of choosing which asteroids to
mine. As stated in a report for the Keck
Institute of Space Studies, C-type asteroids are
the most desirable, as they contain the most
diverse components in the form of dry rocks,
metals, and even complex organic molecules
[10]. The DAWN mission and others like it
will simplify and expedite the asteroid
selection process for maximum efficiency.
Figure 3. An artist’s conception of the DAWN spacecraft,
near the asteroid Vesta.
(http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/682857main_dawn201
20830-full.jpg)
Space agencies are also looking to learn and develop ways to mine asteroids so that all
the resources can be reached and the benefits reaped. Almost all engineering specialties
could help develop this technology, but the disciplines that would be the best overall fit
would be mechanical, astronautical, and civil engineering. A sample asteroid return
mission called OSIRIS-Rex is scheduled for launch in September 2016 [11]. Its mission
is to study the C-type asteroid Bennu and return with a sample material from the surface
[11]. This mission is the tip of the iceberg and will pave the way for future technologies.
If successful, more missions will be planned with my extensive goals each time. The end
result? Nearly endless vital resources.
Endless Possibilities: The Future of Asteroids
Asteroid mining is an incredible future. It holds the possibility to renew rare Earth metals
and minerals, provide fuel for long-term space voyages, replenish the fresh water supply,
and most likely contribute many more yet undiscovered benefits. Although the complete
technology still evades us, the potential is limitless and nothing will stop scientists and
engineers from pursuing this dream.
It is the year 2214, and Ceres is finished with work for the day. She retracts the drill into
her spacecraft and sets a course for home with precious minerals, fresh water, fuel, and
natural gas in tow. She and many other workers have accomplished an arbitrary task in
their lives - something that seems incredible now but in 200 years may be commonplace.
By developing the technology for asteroid retrieval and utilization, infinite resources in
an infinite universe can be obtained. Asteroid mining: with potential for development and
evolution ranging beyond the stars, it truly is out of this world.
References:
[1] M. K. Dailey. (2013, April 16). The Long and Storied Path to Human Asteroid
Exploration [Online]. Available:
http://www.nasa.gov/topics/history/features/asteroids.html
[2] M. L. Nelson, D. T. Britt, and L. A. Lebofsky. (1992, January 1). Review of Asteroid
Composition [Online]. Available:
http://www.uapress.arizona.edu/onlinebks/ResourcesNearEarthSpace/resources19.pdf
[3] E. F. Tedesco, D. J. Tholen, and B. Zellner. “The Eight-Color Asteroid Survey:
Standard Stars”. The Astronomical Journal, vol. 87, pp.1585-1592, Nov. 1982.
(http://articles.adsabs.harvard.edu/full/1982AJ.....87.1585T)
[4] M. Ingebretsen. (2001, August). Mining Asteroids [Online]. Available:
http://ieeexplore.ieee.org.libproxy.usc.edu/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=938712
[5] ESA. (2014). Asteroids: The Discovery of Asteroids [Online]. Available:
http://www.esa.int/About_Us/Welcome_to_ESA/ESA_history/Asteroids_The_discovery
_of_asteroids
[6] NASA. Solar System Exploration – Ceres: Overview [Online]. Available:
https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/profile.cfm?Object=Dwa_Ceres
[7] J. Faust. (2004, March 19). Steam Powered Spacecraft [Online]. Available:
http://www.technologyreview.com/view/402592/steam-powered-spacecraft/
[8] Chevron. (2013, June). Natural Gas from Shale: Unlocking Energy from Shale Rock
Formations [Online]. Available:
http://www.chevron.com/deliveringenergy/naturalgas/shalegas/?utm_campaign=Energy_
Sources__Shale_Gas_English&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_term=Hydraulic_Fr
acturing&utm_content=sTNP9ovsK_dc|pcrid|19965568009|pkw|hydraulic%20fracturing|
pmt|p
[9] NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. (2014). DAWN: A Journey to the Beginning of the
Solar System – Mission [Online]. Available: http://dawn.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/
[10] Keck Institute for Space Studies, California Institute of Technology. (2012, April 2).
Asteroid Retrieval Feasibility Study [Online]. Available:
http://kiss.caltech.edu/study/asteroid/asteroid_final_report.pdf
[11] W. Steigerwald. (2013, August 8). New NASA Mission to Help Us Learn How to
Mine Asteroids [Online]. Available: http://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/new-nasamission-to-help-us-learn-how-to-mine-asteroids/#.Uzpy3Vyftjg