Beyond their threat profile, Near-Earth and Main-Belt asteroids represent trillions of dollars in accessible mineral wealth and life-supporting water.
1. Metallic Asteroid 16 Psyche
An exposed planetary iron-nickel core valued at an estimated $10,000 quadrillion, containing enough gold, platinum, and nickel to transform human industry.
2. Water as Orbital Rocket Propellant
Extracting water from carbonaceous C-type asteroids enables orbital hydrogen/oxygen propellant depots, slashing interplanetary launch mass requirements.
3. Extraction Technologies & Space Law
Developing optical solar thermal mining, magnetic extraction, and international legal frameworks under the Artemis Accords for sustainable resource harvesting.