Saru Posted August 25, 2012 #1 Share Posted August 25, 2012 Can Eric Anderson and Chris Lewicki of Planetary Resources actually succeed in mining asteroids ? What do those in the know make of the bold plans dreamed up by wannabe asteroid miners Eric Anderson and Chris Lewicki of Planetary Resources? Read more... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A rather obscure Bassoon Posted August 25, 2012 #2 Share Posted August 25, 2012 Good idea but i don't think it will happen in my life time,potential though for big problems towing asteroids into close Earth orbit,especially if some one get's their maths wrong. Wouldn't it cause big problems though?If for instance, Earth markets were flooded with precious metals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+and-then Posted August 25, 2012 #3 Share Posted August 25, 2012 I hope they are able to pursue the technology. Even if it turns to be a failure from a profitability standpoint it might still provide much needed knowledge of how to maneuver or even change the trajectory of a potentially earth threatening body in space. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pallidin Posted August 25, 2012 #4 Share Posted August 25, 2012 I read the article, and I don't think it addressed the issue of "which" asteroids to mine. Like, how do you know that a particular asteroid is 50% platinum, for example, or some other highly valuable substance? And I agree with "and then" that the technology might prove useful in dealing with possible asteriod hits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Occams Razor Posted August 25, 2012 #5 Share Posted August 25, 2012 (edited) Sci-fi, Nostromo style. Mineral ore mining, off planet!!! They're on drugs. What would they mine? Whatever it is would have to be incredibly small, light, and unimaginably valuable to make it commercially viable. It's got to be an investment con. Edited August 25, 2012 by Occams Razor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Occams Razor Posted August 25, 2012 #6 Share Posted August 25, 2012 Can Eric Anderson and Chris Lewicki of Planetary Resources actually succeed in mining asteroids ? No, not a chance, pure fantasy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ealdwita Posted August 25, 2012 #7 Share Posted August 25, 2012 First problem - How to stop the pit-ponies floating away! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Idano Posted August 25, 2012 #8 Share Posted August 25, 2012 Yeah, bring an asteroid into close Earth orbit...what could go wrong?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sundew Posted August 25, 2012 #9 Share Posted August 25, 2012 Good idea but i don't think it will happen in my life time,potential though for big problems towing asteroids into close Earth orbit,especially if some one get's their maths wrong. Wouldn't it cause big problems though?If for instance, Earth markets were flooded with precious metals. Probably the most likely metal they would find is iron, a common component of metallic meteors. Should they find enough gold/silver/platinum to make those common metals, they do have many valuable uses outside of coins and jewelry and there is the cost factor of retrieval, so precious metals may still be quite precious even if found in abundance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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