Planetary Resources: asteroid mining

[Dr Mordrid]

Another major Commercial Space startup, and again we have world-class heavy hitters behind it. I'll post specifics when they go public. It could be anything from ID'ing new resources on Earth (unlikely with this crew) to asteroid mining.

NASA JPL asteroid mining study (PDF)....

James Cameron: you know!

Larry Page: Google

Eric Schmidt: Google

Ross Perot Jr: formerly Perot Systems (sold to Dell for $3.9B), real estate developer; son of H. Ross Perot, founder EDS and former US presidential candidate

Tom Jones, Ph.D: Planetary Scientist, NASA astronaut

Charles Simonyi: formerly Microsoft Chief Software Architect; CEO Intentional Software; flew Soyuz TMA 10 and Soyuz TMA-14

Peter H. Diamandis, M.D.: X-PRIZE Foundation

Chris Lewicki: former NASA Mars mission manager

VERY interesting interview with Peter Diamandis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwxizEMuSB8



http://www.technolog.../27776/?ref=rss

Are Ross Perot Jr. and Google's Founders Launching a New Asteroid Mining Operation?

On Tuesday, a new company called Planetary Resources will announce its existence at the Charles Simonyi Space Gallery at The Museum of Flight in Seattle. It's not clear what the firm does, but its roster of backers includes Google co-founders Larry Page and Eric Schmidt, filmmaker James Cameron, former Microsoftie (and space philanthropist) Charles Simonyi, and Ross Perot Jr., son of the former presidential candidate.

According to the company's press release (below):

[...] the company will overlay two critical sectors – space exploration and natural resources – to add trillions of dollars to the global GDP. This innovative start-up will create a new industry and a new definition of ‘natural resources’.

That sounds like asteroid mining. Because what else is there in space that we need here on earth? Certainly not a livable climate or a replacement for our dwindling supplies of oil.

Link (content not live yet): http://www.planetaryresources.com/

We're preparing for the unveiling of Planetary Resources, Inc. on April 24.

Join us to learn about our mission and how we plan to revolutionize current space exploration and help ensure humanity's prosperity for generations to come.

Please contact media@planetaryresources.com for more information and please follow us online for all the latest details.

Presser -

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 18, 2012

*** Media Alert *** Media Alert *** Media Alert ***

Space Exploration Company to Expand Earth's Resource Base

WHAT: Join visionary Peter H. Diamandis, M.D.; leading commercial space entrepreneur Eric Anderson; former NASA Mars mission manager Chris Lewicki; and planetary scientist & veteran NASA astronaut Tom Jones, Ph.D. on Tuesday, April 24 at 10:30 a.m. PDT in Seattle, or via webcast, as they unveil a new space venture with a mission to help ensure humanity's prosperity.

Supported by an impressive investor and advisor group, including Google’s Larry Page & Eric Schmidt, Ph.D.; film maker & explorer James Cameron; Chairman of Intentional Software Corporation and Microsoft’s former Chief Software Architect Charles Simonyi, Ph.D.; Founder of Sherpalo and Google Board of Directors founding member K. Ram Shriram; and Chairman of Hillwood and The Perot Group Ross Perot, Jr., the company will overlay two critical sectors – space exploration and natural resources – to add trillions of dollars to the global GDP. This innovative start-up will create a new industry and a new definition of ‘natural resources’.

The news conference will be held at the Museum of Flight in Seattle on Tuesday, April 24 at 10:30 a.m. PDT and available online via webcast.

WHEN: Tuesday, April 24, 10:30 a.m. PDT

WHO: Charles Simonyi, Ph.D., Space Tourist, Planetary Resources, Inc. Investor; Eric Anderson, Co-Founder & Co-Chairman, Planetary Resources, Inc.; Peter H. Diamandis, M.D., Co-Founder & Co-Chairman, Planetary Resources, Inc.; Chris Lewicki, President & Chief Engineer, Planetary Resources, Inc.

Tom Jones, Ph.D., Planetary Scientist, Veteran NASA Astronaut & Planetary Resources, Inc. Advisor

WHERE: Charles Simonyi Space Gallery at The Museum of Flight

9404 East Marginal Way South
Seattle, WA 98108

Event will also be streamed online.

[Dr Mordrid]

The idea is to capture small asteroids for water, primarily for use in space fuel depots, and rare metals with the rocks parked at Lagrange points near the moon.

Looks like they're already working with NASA on the telescope(s) for locating asteroids and Earth mini-moons (captured small asteroids), and only 20kg by Arkyd Astronautics - model Arkyd-101. No doubt it uses small ion thrusters. Seems small enough to deploy as a secondary payload.

http://www.spacenews.com/venture_space/120424-asteroid-mining-venture.html

https://ehb8.gsfc.na.../briefchart.pdf