If we could make harvesting “space trash” (actually precious metals needed on Earth) successful and replicable via these remotely operated robotic vehicles, it would lessen environmental impact on Earth and increase prosperity on our planet. Mining corporations here are using robotics from companies like OFFWORLD robotics to remove humans from these sorts of working conditions in terrestrial mines to improve safety and avoid risk. We’ve seen that mining precious metals and compounds on Earth is usually dull, dirty and dangerous. There are tons of space trash that threaten our valuable satellite assets in space, and they need to be defended. This will have many positive ripple effects if we can prove this process successful and replicable. To determine if the DART had the desired effect will take several weeks to see if the trajectory actually changes. What is the long-term value of this particular test, and why are researchers interested in exploring, landing on and even one day mining an asteroid?įor this mission, the DART was intended to redirect the trajectory of the asteroid. We live in the most advanced society the planet has ever known, but we are still accomplishing “firsts.” I’m grateful that we have boundless potential to accomplish things we have not begun to dream about.
What was your reaction to watching the test this week? This mission’s main focus was the latter, so it was an attempt to show that we could accomplish all the steps necessary to “hit a bullet with a bullet.”Īs we saw from this tentatively successful effort, the amount of engineering and calculations that have to be done to be successful in this effort are staggering, but Aggie engineers and scientists (among others) have what it takes to make it a reality. There are two main reasons we do missions like these: First, to mine asteroids for precious metals or other elements/compounds that are more plentiful in other parts of the solar system than on our planet, or second, to physically redirect asteroids so they do not damage Earth. What was the goal behind NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test mission, or DART, which this week slammed into an asteroid on purpose?
I was excited to see the recent Space Act Agreement with NASA’s Johnson Space Center and how we can work more in depth with NASA on furthering their efforts. I’ve carried this experience toward a foundation in researching what it would take to excavate, mine or construct in the ultimate expeditionary environment – the Moon or Mars, in support of Project Artemis. My primary experience in the military was expeditionary construction in Saudi Arabia, the Pacific, Afghanistan and Greenland. Briefly describe your research on space-based drilling and construction projects.
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