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An asteroid base

By 2040, the international community has concluded that using nonrenewable resources is irrational. The first kind of asteroid to be mined was of the carbonaceous variety, to get water that can keep astronauts alive, or be used to create rocket fuel. Later, explorers prospected dozens of other varieties of asteroids with suitable iron, nickel, cobalt, platinoid, and rare-earth element deposits. Odyssey is the first ever space base focused on mining these minerals.

The station was launched in 2049. Because of magnetic storms and drastic changes in temperature, the main part of the base had to be built several meters below the asteroid’s surface. Almost all work on the base was automated. Small teams of engineers and technicians needed for station management stay for 6-month shifts. Using solar mirrors, they melt and refine precious metal ores and blow them into gleaming bubbles that can safely descend through Earth’s atmosphere to float in the ocean, for collection. The iron is used for construction in space.

This space project — the Odyssey — is so profitable that on April 22, 2055, Earth Day, the UN’s General Assembly adopts a resolution: to decrease mineral mining on our planet and to transfer some profits made from space to restore and preserve the Earth’s ecology.

The success of the project is based not only on the commercial value of mining but also on scientific advancements. The Odyssey houses laboratories with different specializations. New space discoveries make it possible to create new stations and even cities farther away from Earth.
 

I agree
65
I don't agree
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Jim Myers I think everyone here will be surprised at how quickly asteroid mining becomes a real thing. Once starships are making regular trips to orbit, it will be easy to set up a mission to bring equipment to a near earth asteroid and dig in. it could easily be used to both produce ore and dug out to be a station in its own right. If it is large enough, it can be spun up for some gravity to make smelting and refining that ore easier. Enabling the whole chain from ore to products like steel of various qualities, lithium, silicates and a whole host of other useful things.
18 Jun 2021
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Jessey Baillargeon space agencies such as nasa are thinking of doing this. it will happen outr lifetime, but id say asteroid mining would happen around 2050 or 2060.
24 Jul 2020
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Tacys Nice written. But i think its way more than 30 years from now.
24 Oct 2019
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Living In The Now Yeah I'll see you later Tim, ill be out on my Mining Job?
28 Sep 2019
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dalgado I DONT THINK SO..MAYBE LATER..100 YEARS LATER.
20 Sep 2019
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Paul G Rauterberg It might depend upon profit and loss statements rather than on common sense; people are too greedy to be sensible.
12 Jul 2019
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Thorsten Frank It would be the best choice - but I don´t think it will happen. At least under the current zeitgeist.
12 Jul 2019
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