by Millard Hahs

Created on: April 04, 2009   Last Updated: March 28, 2011

Space mining : The Economic Future for the World.  Every citizen has a huge stake in what becomes of the known, and valuable mineral resources in our solar system. Mining in space is the "Next Big thing" of entrepreneurs and may eclipse the past economy boost of the former Silicone Valley. In fact mining will provide the "wherewithal" to open up space to private astronauts and launch the new Space Race.

A lunar "land grab" will be full on in a few short years. The players will be private companies and individuals from United States, Japan, Korea, India, China, Russia, France, Great Britain the list goes on.  All interested nations that are deeply committed to a presence in space have a stake, and their are differences of opinion about which nation can dominate outer space. None the less, if humans learn how to live a separate nations and zones without jealousy or dictatorial greed, Space mining will first be a boon to every nations economy. Mining, and exploration carried out by robotic missions, and later by live astronauts in co-operation with finance partners-all in accord with international treaties will see new wonders and bring back new hope to a world that is beginning to "burst at the seams".

Recently, Russia flatly announced that by 2014, the Russian Bear will  join the Dragon of China as "Partners in Space": Together, they will engage in mining "ilmenite" a titanium silicate containing the isotope Helium-3, a nuclear reactant. Helium at certain temperatures is a metal, but roasted out of an ore called ilmenite, the metal from the sun  escapes as a gas (at about 800 degrees Fahrenheit ) At this temperature, astronauts could process the ore in a simple device making use of the sun and reflectors.

China and Russia are strange bedfellows, but they can share costs to afford the ride. They will share experience, data, and reap scientific and other spoils on a manned mission to Phobos, the greater moon of Mars, and the best command and control outpost. Could Helium-3 be fueling this coalition? Do they want materials for perfecting the theoretical potential of 3-He-clean energy? A the very least their priorities are in line with the desperate needs of a dying planet.

It has been a goal of humans to end the savage cold and rigors of winter for 70 million years.  Shouldn't humans jump at the opportunity to safely end "old Man Winter's" savage dominion for good?  True, it takes a bit of oil to build a a low radiation nuclear fusion

• 1
• 2
• 3
• ...
• 7
• Next Page >>