296 / 2023-10-11 14:53:49

Space Resources Exploration and Utilization – A Geodetic Perspective

space mining; space resources; space economy; near-earth asteroids; geospatial technology

The exploration and utilization of space resources is a new wave of international interest. The US Space Resource Exploration and Utilization Act in 2015 was a tipping point for the accelerated process of new space competition. The primary purpose of extra-terrestrial mining is to search for minerals, elements and water from asteroids and minor planets that are close to the Earth. Geospatial science and technology, geodesy and remote sensing in particular, plays a critical role in this huge space mining systematic engineering endeavor, as is the case of surveying for large engineering projects.

This contribution argues that the combination of mining and geospatial technology is a “must” in the early stage of space endeavor of resources exploration and utilization. The current status of space mining from a geodetic perspective and the potential targets of space resources exploration are presented. It is concluded that, based on the current level of scientific and technological development and the potential value of known space resources, mining the near-Earth asteroids as the first step is feasible and will be one of the major trends of space resources exploration and an important part of space economy. The priorities of space mining that need urgent attention are identified, which includes but not limited to space resources exploitation, space intelligent robots related design and manufacture, prospecting and mining of space resources, safety and in-situ utilization of space resources. Meanwhile, the vision of space mining development in China has been constructed.