Atlantis Online
March 19, 2024, 01:45:08 am
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
News: Site provides evidence for ancient comet explosion
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/nationworld/story/173177.html
 
  Home Help Arcade Gallery Links Staff List Calendar Login Register  

Private Enterprise- To mars

Pages: 1 ... 28 29 30 31 32 33 [34] 35   Go Down
  Print  
Author Topic: Private Enterprise- To mars  (Read 23205 times)
0 Members and 141 Guests are viewing this topic.
HereForNow
Superhero Member
******
Posts: 3279


HUH?


« Reply #495 on: November 01, 2013, 06:03:48 pm »

http://news.discovery.com/space/asteroids-meteors-meteorites/could-asteroid-mining-drive-21st-century-space-industry-130204.htm

 Cheesy I've been writing this blog for a few years now and just look at whats transpiring.



The two asteroid mining companies, DSI and Planetary Resources, have the same basic goal, but their intended methods are somewhat different. Planetary Resources are currently developing small, low-cost “LEO” telescopes to survey asteroids on demand, from Earth orbit. They later plan to develop two larger types of prospecting craft. The “Interceptor” will act as a longer range prospector, being able to intercept any asteroids that come within 10-30 times the Earth-moon orbit (something which occurs quite frequently). Finally, the “Rendezvous Prospector” would be able to travel halfway across the inner solar system to gather detailed information about asteroids — including size, shape, rotation, and density. While it’s clear that they plan to develop craft to return samples and eventually return whole asteroids, they haven’t yet made any further details public.

DSI, on the other hand, are taking a more aggressive approach. They currently have two planned spacecraft. The “Firefly”, constructed from low cost materials, will prospect for suitable asteroids to mine. The larger “Dragonfly” craft will then go and start collecting asteroid material. They appear to have numerous more ambitious concept sketches for future craft, but again they haven’t released many details yet.

ANALYSIS: Mining Asteroids: Not Mankind’s Silver Bullet

As well as metal, both companies intend to harvest hydrogen and oxygen to effectively create orbital fuel stations for other spacecraft. Planetary Resources have the long term goal of being able to alter the orbital trajectories of asteroids, and return entire asteroids into lunar orbit for mining. Meanwhile, DSI’s plans involve a 3D printer, dubbed the “Microgravity Foundry”, which will be able to create high quality metal components in orbit. Between them, we could be looking at the beginnings of true orbital industry.  Can't wait to show these guys this thread one day....
« Last Edit: November 01, 2013, 06:08:31 pm by HereForNow » Report Spam   Logged

Pages: 1 ... 28 29 30 31 32 33 [34] 35   Go Up
  Print  
 
Jump to:  

Powered by EzPortal
Bookmark this site! | Upgrade This Forum
SMF For Free - Create your own Forum
Powered by SMF | SMF © 2016, Simple Machines
Privacy Policy