The idea of harvesting resources from asteroids long predates space travel, and NASA is now taking the first steps toward bringing those celestial bodies down to Earth.
Plans are being made for an entirely robotic spaceship able to haul a typical nearby asteroid, about 25 feet long and 500 tons, to a position near the moon. From this position, astronauts could explore the asteroid and perhaps later harvest minerals found there. Fortunately, there is no need to worry about any stray asteroids causing any apocalyptic scenarios here on Earth because, due to their small size, the space rocks would simply burn up in the atmosphere.
This combination of robot and human space travel requires new and innovative technologies. The robotic spaceship tasked with retrieving the asteroids will incorporate a solar-powered engine capable of making a trip within the 10 million mile range with the desired cargo. Solar propulsion modules would stop the asteroid from spinning, which would make it easier to direct. Donald Yeoman, the head of NASA’s Near Earth Objects program that monitors close by asteroids, likens the capture method to “a baggie with a drawstring.”
One potential benefit that doomsayers may appreciate, or possibly resent, is that this current project could lead to new danger averting technologies that would deflect asteroid threats.
This grand manipulation will require substantial backing, but it seems the backers are ready and willing. President Obama has already placed $100 million in the 2014 budget for the accelerated asteroid mission, according to Senator Bill Nelson, Chairman of the Senate science and space subcommittee.
Financing and other obstacles aside, this project is another great step for space exploration that will take humans farther than ever.
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