Smells Like Teen Spirit

After we launched the MUSES-C mission on May 10 th,
I have been always asking myself questions concerning space mining and
manufacturing.

We have various amounts of materials on NEO, which are quite expensive
on Earth.
and I am sure, companies or people, dealing with these materials on
Earth (like Gold or Platinum)
earn good money, already built up their systems and business connections
etc.

The question would be how much they would like the idea to have new
competitors..
or how much they would support new sources (especially in space)...
I am sure such business owners will do everything to avoid using space
resources to keep their on-going profit. Who would want his business to
go down?

Rare materials are expensive. If we can retrieve gold from space sources
and bring back to Earth,
will Gold be still worth the same if we start mining it from an asteroid?

Also imagine the energy industry. Space exploration proposals are
usually based on creating new energy sources. (which I think is quite a
good idea...) but, energy sources are also reasons today, to start a
war or attack/create conflicts in other countries. Would the big
petroleum companies allow scientists and engineers to develop new
systems for regenerative energy sources in the coming ten years? It is a
pity but I think, the most important problem that space settlement
faces, is the "Politics" and there would be no reasonable solution for
this problem, unless we are too lucky and will have great leaders in the
coming years :-)

I think mining the NEO to sell on orbit for in-situ construction
proposals would make the only near-future viable profit if we are able
to mine an asteroid or the Moon.

anilir

Ryan Z wrote: