In 2024, a small asteroid, dubbed a “mini-moon,” circled Earth for two months. Although it soon departed, it brought with it a big idea: asteroid mining.
Scientists estimate that the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter contains metals worth hundreds of trillions of dollars. They include platinum, cobalt, nickel, iron, and even gold. These materials are crucial for both high-tech manufacturing and the development of green energy. Asteroids are usually very far away, and getting a sample from them costs millions of dollars per gram.
TransAstra proposes wrapping an asteroid in a massive film and using sunlight to evaporate the ice, thereby trapping the metals. Tethers Unlimited planned to catch the asteroid with a giant net and bring it into Earth’s orbit. Today, China controls 80-90% of rare earth exports. This is forcing companies in the US and other countries to pay attention to space. NASA is already preparing for a significant project: in 2029, the Psyche mission will depart for an asteroid rich in metals, the value of which is estimated to be quadrillion dollars.
Scientists warn that if these metals quickly appear on the market, it could shake up the global economy. However, everyone agrees that mini-moons offer humanity a unique opportunity to establish a genuine industry in space for the first time.
