Cutting-edge technology enabling settlement of the solar system and beyond – Art by Rick Guidice / NASA
Although somewhat dated this paper is still relevant and the technology is not only feasible, its open source and available for any startup company interested in capitalizing on the the resources available from asteroid mining. Be sure and catch the Ted Talk by Dr. Bruce Damer himself.
SpaceWatch.Global examines arguments in support and against the EO. Christopher Johnson of Secure World Foundation states in the position in favor:
“The US would like to [be] the leading nation in the use of space resources. It’s worth noting that other States are also interested in space resources, such as Luxembourg, and others.”
On the side arguing against the EO, Dimitra Stefoudi of the University of Leiden says:
“Applied to outer space, the concept of global commons could be interpreted as prohibiting rights over resources found in that area, particularly for commercial purposes, and would be contrary to the US policy of promoting such rights for commercial actors.”
The document states that “Americans should have the right to engage in commercial exploration, recovery, and use of resources in outer space, consistent with applicable law. Outer space is a legally and physically unique domain of human activity, and the United States does not view it as a global commons. Accordingly, it shall be the policy of the United States to encourage international support for the public and private recovery and use of resources in outer space, consistent with applicable law”
An Embry-Riddle alumna uses 3D-printing and partial-gravity simulations to validate the design of an asteroid hopper spacecraft under a NASA funded research project
As reported in Space Daily, Orbion will deliver its Aurora Hall-effect thrusters to power Xplore’s space vehicle called Xcraft to explore the inner solar system.
George Sowers of the Colorado School of Mines has published the final report of his NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Phase I study: Thermal Mining of Ices on Cold Solar System Bodies.
Does the Outer Space Treaty allow the establishment of property rights for space settlement? Rand Simberg explains that through the use of multilateral agreements among like-minded nations, the accord may actually be more permissive then originally thought
This paper introduces the concept of Partial Ownership of Outer Space Resources while not conflicting with the Outer Space Treaty. The system allows competition for resource utilization, while preventing monopolies through open ownership and preserving the incentives for investment, thus benefiting all participating nations.
The Space Resource has released their compendium of major developments in space resources in 2019, with an eye toward monitoring progress through 2020 and beyond. The Team aims to cover advances in the science, business, and technology development that will pave the way for humanity’s expansion into space