Asteroid mining, data mining, same, same

[Warren]

(AP) WASHINGTON - A group of high-tech tycoons wants to mine nearby asteroids, hoping to turn science fiction into real profits. The mega-million dollar plan is to use commercially built robotic ships to squeeze rocket fuel and valuable minerals like platinum and gold out of the lifeless rocks that routinely whiz by Earth. One of the company founders predicts they could have their version of a space-based gas station up and running by 2020….
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-205_162-5...

A book pick that involves space ships might be a good choice
one of these days.

[Paul]

This where the future is at...literally.
famous scientistAuthor once postulated (cant remember who) that 1% of Kunipar belt of asteroids would have anough raw ore and precious metals to last the world for almost a 1000 years and that includes the increase of use as we expand into the solar system...

[Paul]

Warren wrote: "(AP) WASHINGTON - A group of high-tech tycoons wants to mine nearby asteroids, hoping to turn science fiction into real profits. The mega-million dollar plan is to use commercially built robotic sh..."

David Weber talks about this in his new series... Using large asteroids as bases for industrial use adn defense as we mine the asteroid fields.

[terpkristin]

I wish they had given more information. They presented a lot of lofty statements without a lot to back 'em up.

But they're rich enough...if SpaceX has demonstrated anything so far, it's that you can make stuff happen if you throw tons of money at it.

[Mark]

I am reminded of Ben Bova's The Asteroid Wars in this case...

But seriously making a press announcement is verrrryyy far from actually sending things up (and I'm not sure how they'll get back the cost of sending these things up either)

[Warren]

Agree.
Its easy for a CEO to say, "let go to the astroid belt and make a ton of money." Then wave their hand and expect the little people handle the "details".

[Alterjess]

Step 1: Announce plans to mine asteroids.
Step 2:...
Step 3: Profit!!

[Warren]

Jess wrote: "Step 1: Announce plans to mine asteroids.
Step 2:...
Step 3: Profit!!"

;-) Yep
The "then a miracle occurs"
step needs work

[Chris]

I literally cover and explore this subject in my newest release, Planet Janitor Custodian of the Stars.

It's absolutely feasible, especially when you consider all the space junk currently in orbit.

Product Description
Captain Zachary Crowe and the crew of Planet Janitor Corporation are adept at handling environmental clean-ups and close system jumps to collect precious ores and space trash. The problem is they have yet to complete an assignment without a mishap to add to their not so stellar record. Scraping the bottom of the barrel, Orion Industries contracts Planet Janitor for a clandestine operation that no one else wants, offering them more money than they could spend in three lifetimes. The mission entails a 12 light-year trip to a newly found habitable planet in the Tau Ceti system. The crew will lose 26 years on Earth due to the cryo jump, but that is the least of their problems. What they find on Tau Ceti will rattle their wits, test their courage, and threaten their very survival.

[Skip]

Asteroid mining is backdrop for the book Heavy Time, always a good read.

[R.H.]

There's an interesting article on Wired discussing the legality of asteroid mining.