Talk about trying to manipulate the market! Most can't even afford to mine on earth, much less in outer space - 10-20 years out - HA, most believe mining will never again show a profit:
Business Sees Cash Among the Constellations
By Leonard David
Washington Contributing Editor
posted: 06:11 am EST
09 January 2000
GOLDEN, Colo. - Call it plowing new ground -- but this time, it's thousands to millions of miles from Earth.
At the Colorado School of Mines (CSM) here, a 21st century breed of wildcat prospector is envisioned -- one that seeks pay dirt in tons of possible water ice from the moon, minerals from asteroids, or oxygen and fuel from Mars' atmosphere.
Engineering students and faculty have begun to set up an ongoing Space Resources Utilization Round Table to brainstorm ways to get useful products and services from space. They are considering everything from tourism to manufacturing on the moon, said Bill Sharp, researcher professor and round table committee member.
Last October, the school convened the first round table. That event brought together more than 60 space experts from industry and academia, along with representatives from several NASA centers and the Russian Academy of Science. Even financial high-rollers from Merrill Lynch showed up.
"Space mining is 10 to 20 years, or even further out. However, somebody has to start thinking about these things now."
Bill Sharp - Space Resources Utilization Roundtable
Also there was geologist and Apollo 17 moonwalker Harrison Schmitt, who argued for mining the moon for helium 3 -- a rare element not found on Earth -- to help feed an energy-hungry planet. Helium 3 could also be turned into rocket fuel to help in the planet's expanding space endeavors, Schmitt said.
Also on the research agenda is possible design of a lunar solar power system. In this concept, bases on opposing sides of the moon would capture sunlight, convert it to microwaves, and then beam the energy to Earth. Antennas on the ground could then distribute the energy to power grids throughout the world.
Other ideas getting attention at the school's round table include the design of hydrogen- and oxygen-powered spacecraft that refuel themselves with resources from asteroids so they can operate in deep space indefinitely.
"Space mining is 10 to 20 years, or even further out.(cont)
space.com
Guess those guys in Golden should change the name to "The School of Non-Mining, Market Manipulation & Hedging". |
