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Is Space Mining Feasible?

Posted by michael on from the moving-dozers-through-the-shallow-lunar-mines dept.

Roland Piquepaille writes "There is a large amount of precious minerals on the Moon and Mars. Would it be feasible to bring these valuable materials back on Earth? Space.com says that mining specialists and space engineers, who gathered at the latest Space Resources Roundtable, think the answer is yes. But there are many issues to solve. The first one is to build a permanent base. Then, you have to live on space resources. The article looks at other issues, such as strategic and economic potentials, before examining legal concerns about working conditions and extraterrestrial resource ownership. As the article says about lawyers, it 'turns out you can't leave Earth without them.' This summary contains more details and a rendering of a possible commercial Lunar base."

2 of 569 comments (clear)

  1. An easy way to jumpstart space mining by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Tell Bush there are weapons of mass destruction on Mars.

  2. Re: Is Space Mining Feasible? by ozbird · · Score: 5, Funny

    Why go shopping for asteroids when they deliver? Sure, the delivery schedule and drop-off point is unpredictable, but hey - free minerals!