Rare asteroids near Earth could become targets for space mining

Scientists have just calculated that one of two metallic asteroids floating close to Earth could contain precious metals worth around $ 11.65 trillion. The expensive nugget, in fact, could boast more iron, nickel and cobalt than all of our global metal reserves.

Called near-Earth metal-rich asteroids, these rare and massive mineral deposits are over a mile wide. The one that is considered a metal sill is labeled 1986 DA and the other 2016 ED85.

The duo “could be possible targets for asteroid mining in the future,” according to new analysis published Friday in The Planetary Science Journal.

Space mining has gained traction in the scientific community because experts believe the feat could provide profitable metals for a lunar or Mars-based colony, ultimately extending humanity’s reach in exploring the world. ‘space. With a cosmic mine, building materials wouldn’t have to support the costly shuttle from Earth to space.

Additionally, the team behind the calculations suggests that these unique floating orbs could shed light on the authenticity of another metallic treasure that NASA is heading towards 2022 – the mysterious shining space globe known as 16 Psyche.

16 Psyche has its own appeal for space exploration enthusiasts.

Instead of trees, oceans, or expanses of land, the bizarre body is believed to be made up of hills and valleys made of Pure metal. Scientists argue that this is the remaining core of an ancient rocky planet that has already been destroyed. Interestingly, the Earth’s covered core looks awfully similar.

Aptly dubbed “mini Psyches,” the precious little asteroids described in the new study are likely pieces that detached from a similar bare center, though the research team notes that they don’t think these fragments are offshoots of 16 Psyche in particular.

Yet 16 Psyche has become a rather hot topic of discussion among scientists and even the public – it is believed to hold minerals worth $ 10,000 billion. Let it flow.

The sky-high figure, however, has raised considerable doubt as scientists cannot be sure what 16 Psyche is made up of until a spacecraft inspects it. It’s too far away for precise spectral analysis, a scientific method that exploits electromagnetic emission and absorption signals to learn more about the composition of objects.

Until such a review can take place, which the NASA mission intends to do, researchers must consider the option of having it all just some sort of rubble.

This is what makes the data of the “mini Psyches” indispensable – they can offer a first glimpse of the characteristics of their namesake. The proximity to our home planet makes it much easier for scientists to capture the spectral information of rocks from Earth.

“It’s gratifying that we have discovered these ‘mini Psyches’ so close to Earth,” said Vishnu Reddy, associate professor at the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory at the University of Arizona and principal investigator for the NASA grant that funded the work, in a press release. .

Sifting through the collected data, the researchers found that the orbiting blocks were made up of 85% metal, like iron and nickel, and just 15% silicate, which is basically ordinary rock.

As such, some ambiguity about 16 Psyche may soon be alleviated thanks to baby versions of it – including whether that will add treasures to the crew for future space miners.

Either way, while the trio of metallic dudes definitely seem to be hinting at our sci-fi fantasies of space mining gradually heading into reality, one thing is absolutely certain: they’re a pretty tough team. .