Minecraft: Asteroid edition

Dear readers 

If you think this to be a misleading ploy, utilizing a famous franchise/brand; to attract views then you would be nothing short of utterly correct. It was cleverly devised by a devious friend of mine.
Ok, ok you caught me; I have no friends hahaha. This is the kind of self effacing humor which can be expected from this blog.

What you can also expect is Controversy.

To find it we once again look to the celestial heavens, more specifically to the rocky masses rolling through space AKA Asteroids.  In case the title didn’t already give it away (In which case you probably won’t be interested in the article anyway and I suggest you move it along); the controversy of the day and the coming decades will be Asteroid Mining.
 

Before we start it is of crucial significance to acknowledge the organizations currently researching the field of asteroid mining:
-NASA
-Deep Space industries
-Planetary Resources Inc
-Kepler Energy and Space Engineering LLC

Now several questions strike the mind when talking about the “prospect” of asteroid mining (a dash of mining humor, you younglings probably won’t get it)

1) Why in the seven hells are we even talking of mining asteroids?

To answer, I direct you to an economic phrase; “Limited resources and unlimited wants”. The earth’s resources, specifically mined elements that are necessary for modern industry to function (e.g.:-zinc, tin, lead, copper, etc.) are estimated to expire in 50 to 60 years time.

What on earth are we to do? Nothing would provide a solution, well nothing on earth that is.
Scientists really thought outside the box and the atmosphere and found an answer, Asteroids.

Asteroids are like meteoroids but instead of containing space rubble and garbage, they are rich with wicked valuable metals and elements.  

About time we did talk about asteroid mining don’t you think? 

2) How do we know for certain if there’s even anything worth mining on those godforsaken space boulders?

Ah well, Specialized satellites are to be devised to acquire details about composition, proximity acceleration required to get to and from the intended target and other key factors in order to determine if a particular asteroid is indeed a valid and valuable prospect for mining.

Planetary resources inc. has planned the development of the following equipment to carry out the prospecting of asteroids:

-Arkyd series 100(the LEO space telescope) a telescope to analyze asteroids (currently being worked on, there’s a kick starter and everything)
-Arkyd series 200(the Interceptor) a  probe of sorts that would further analyze the asteroid on site
-Arkyd series 300 (the Rendezvous Prospector) satellite that will  research and find resources “deeper in space”

To elaborate further on the selection process, first and foremost the asteroid has to be a ‘Near earth asteroid’ so that the acceleration needed to transport the resources to and from is less, thus getting a higher return on the prospect.

The composition itself varies from asteroid to asteroid however they can be classified into 3 main common types, but there are many other subclasses you can Google if you are interested.

3) Fine but how are we going to mine a bloody Asteroid if it is blasting through space?

The organizations mentioned afore have concocted several methods on how to approach the mining aspect as illustrated in the pictures below.

A) Shoot to Drill - a robotic prospector is to remain on site to drill for precious materials that will be shipped to earth via capsules.

What it would actually look like

What I wish it would be like.

B) Bag ‘em and drag ‘em- a mission to retrieve an asteroid by enveloping it and transporting it to the moon’s orbit for it to be mined.

What it could actually look like

What a caricature of the proposed mission would be like.

C) Haul Ass-teroid –Towing an asteroid using rocket power into earth’s orbit for mining.

What it could be like

What it's actually going to be like

 

4) Is Asteroid Mining really worth it? Yes or No?                    

                                   

Yes. That’s all folks, have a pleasant day.                      

5) Seriously? GOD you piss me off! Elaborate please. 

Well “Yes” in the long run would be a better answer.  This is because with the current technology we possess feasibility is in a horrid state.

To put this in context NASA’s upcoming mission (OSIRIS-Rex) which costs around $1 billion estimated to bring back 2 ounces of gold or platinum, $1800 per ounce.
So technically ROI would be $3600-$1billion/$1billion X 100 which amounts to extremely BAD.
Granted the project is indeed just an asteroid study and sample retrieval but can they not bring a bigger sample?

But it is the prospect of Asteroid Mining in the long run will that make it a worthwhile investment as it will push humanity to discover efficient and cost effective space travel (the development of a Space fuel depot is already in the talks due to this).

It could be the first step that would lead us to colonize planets.

It could be the first step that would lead us to make our first contact with extraterrestrials.

It could be the first step that would lead us to BE extraterrestrials.

And, in my mind, thus solves the controversy.

Progress demands our attention and our support.

Our resources are depleting whether we like it or not. I say high time we started thinking about it and thinking off world.

SO in conclusion Asteroid Mining FTW

Comment below if you agree and want to add anything or if your opinion differs. I would appreciate it either way.
You know, whatevs.

Haters gonna hate, Lovers gonna love, and honey badgers don’t give a Sh*t.

Peace out. Cheers