Applying Mining Concepts to Applying Mining Concepts to Accessing Asteroid Accessing Asteroid

ResourcesResources

Mark Sonter, Asteroid Enterprises Pty Ltd, Brisbane, Mark Sonter, Asteroid Enterprises Pty Ltd, Brisbane, sontermj@tpg.com.au ph +61 7 3297 7653, ph +61 7 3297 7653,

andand

‘‘The Asteroid Mining Group’:The Asteroid Mining Group’:Al Globus, Steve Covey, Chris Cassell, & Jim Luebke; Al Globus, Steve Covey, Chris Cassell, & Jim Luebke; with Bryan Versteeg & James Wolff with Bryan Versteeg & James Wolff

Mining the Near-Earth Asteroids:Mining the Near-Earth Asteroids:

-- There are -- There are veryvery high-value resourceshigh-value resources in space, awaiting in space, awaiting the development of an the development of an in-spacein-space market market;;

And the technology to get to them, and retrieve them, is And the technology to get to them, and retrieve them, is available available nownow……

Images from William K Hartmann

Asteroid characterization:Asteroid characterization:

What do they look like?What do they look like? How big are they?How big are they? Why are we interested in them?Why are we interested in them? What ‘goodies’ do they contain?What ‘goodies’ do they contain? How many are there?How many are there? What structure / fabric / strength?What structure / fabric / strength?

How (pray tell) might we mine them??How (pray tell) might we mine them??

Asteroid 951 Gaspra (18 km x 10 km x 9 km) - silicate

Asteroid 243 Ida (59 km x 23 km x 19 km) - silicate

253 Mathilde (66 km x 48 km x 44 km) - carbonaceous

Eros

433 Eros (33 km x 13 km) - silicate

Itokawa with International Space Station to scale

It’s a rubble pile with lots of void space: = 1.95 g/cc

Regolith (present even in micro-g!!) is gravel-size particles

Asteroids offer both Threat and Asteroids offer both Threat and Promise –Promise –

ThreatThreat of impacts delivering regional or global disaster. of impacts delivering regional or global disaster.

PromisePromise of resources to support Humanity’s long-term of resources to support Humanity’s long-term prosperity and expansion into the Solar System.prosperity and expansion into the Solar System.

The technologies to tap asteroid resources will The technologies to tap asteroid resources will alsoalso enable enable the deflection of at least some of the Impact-Threat objectsthe deflection of at least some of the Impact-Threat objects

-- It is likely that the Near Earth Asteroids will be major -- It is likely that the Near Earth Asteroids will be major resource opportunities of the mid 21resource opportunities of the mid 21stst century century

-- Thus we should seek to develop these technologies, to -- Thus we should seek to develop these technologies, to meet the emerging in-space markets…meet the emerging in-space markets…

Asteroid ResourcesAsteroid Resources

High and increasing discovery rate of NEAsHigh and increasing discovery rate of NEAs

Growing belief that NEAs contain easily extractable Growing belief that NEAs contain easily extractable high-value productshigh-value products

Accessing asteroid resources is Accessing asteroid resources is dependent on dependent on development of market(s) for mass-in-orbitdevelopment of market(s) for mass-in-orbit

How to compare schemes for mining a NEA and How to compare schemes for mining a NEA and returning the product to market??returning the product to market??

CapexCapex, , payback timepayback time, , andand net present valuenet present value are are critical design drivers, in choice ofcritical design drivers, in choice of target, target, market, product, mission type, extraction market, product, mission type, extraction process, process, andand propulsion system propulsion system

Asteroid structure and strengthAsteroid structure and strength

Asteroids retain deep regolith (except the smallest?)Asteroids retain deep regolith (except the smallest?) Often heavily fractured or rubble pilesOften heavily fractured or rubble piles Have significant void space (‘macroporosity’)Have significant void space (‘macroporosity’) Many appear to contain Many appear to contain HH22O in clays or saltsO in clays or salts

Many appear to contain Many appear to contain kerogen-like materialkerogen-like material (!!) (!!) Many appear to contain Many appear to contain Ni-Fe Ni-Fe and and PGMsPGMs Some may be extinct / dormant comet coresSome may be extinct / dormant comet cores

The value of these commodity products The value of these commodity products in spacein space, is , is thousands of dollars per kilogram thousands of dollars per kilogram

Products from asteroid mining:Products from asteroid mining: Raw silicate, for use in space (ballast, shielding)Raw silicate, for use in space (ballast, shielding) Water, & other volatiles, for use in space (propellant)Water, & other volatiles, for use in space (propellant) Ni-Fe metal, for use in space (construction)Ni-Fe metal, for use in space (construction) PGMs, for return to Earth (catalyst for fuel cells)PGMs, for return to Earth (catalyst for fuel cells) Semiconductor metals, for use in space (solar arrays)Semiconductor metals, for use in space (solar arrays)

Water can be used for PROPELLANT for the RETURN TRIPWater can be used for PROPELLANT for the RETURN TRIP

The in-space market for raw material is not yet a reality....The in-space market for raw material is not yet a reality....

But But all mass used in space and originating from Earth all mass used in space and originating from Earth costs at present $10,000 per kg to launchcosts at present $10,000 per kg to launch, thus setting a , thus setting a rough lower limit on the potential value of these rough lower limit on the potential value of these products…products…

Lots of new knowledge:Lots of new knowledge:

New Targets (generated by search programs)New Targets (generated by search programs) Images, Concepts and UnderstandingsImages, Concepts and Understandings

But mining (and processing) is But mining (and processing) is difficultdifficult, , even on Earth!even on Earth!

(we will come back to this, later--)(we will come back to this, later--)

-- Of course, the vast majority of the little fellas have not yet been found… As opposed to the 1 km ones, where the discovery rate has leveled off because most have now been found…

There are literally millions undiscovered in the under 30 metre and under 10 metre size range…

Huge increase in potential targets:Huge increase in potential targets:

Total #Total # 300 m diam300 m diam 1 km diam1 km diam

NEAsNEAs 88008800 27002700 850850

PHAsPHAs 13001300 500?500? 150150

Apollos: 4700 (Earth crossers, sma 1 AU)

Amors: 3300 (1 AU < Perihelion < 1.3 AU)

Atens: 700 (Earth crossers, sma < 1 AU)

Atiras: 10 (Orbit totally inside Earth’s)

(1 AU = 150 x 106 km = radius of Earth’s orbit) - as of March 2012

Potentially Hazardous Asteroids: approach Earth orbit to < 7.5 x 106 km (0.05 AU)

From Mike A’Hearn, P.I. Deep Impact:From Mike A’Hearn, P.I. Deep Impact:

15% of NEAs have 15% of NEAs have Jupiter Family Comet type orbits (and hence Jupiter Family Comet type orbits (and hence cometary in origin??)cometary in origin??)

Comets are Comets are 50% H 50% H22O by massO by mass

Most ice is Most ice is 1 to 3 thermal skin thicknesses deep (? say 1 to 3 thermal skin thicknesses deep (? say 10 m) 10 m)

Comets have bulk density 0.5 g/cc and thus 75% empty space: Comets have bulk density 0.5 g/cc and thus 75% empty space: highly porous!!highly porous!!

Weak: tensile strength <100 Pa from SL9 (at km scale);Weak: tensile strength <100 Pa from SL9 (at km scale); < 10 kPa from Deep Impact (at metre scale)< 10 kPa from Deep Impact (at metre scale)

Thermal conductivity very lowThermal conductivity very low

Deep Impact excavated Deep Impact excavated 5000 tonnes of ice from within 2 m of 5000 tonnes of ice from within 2 m of surface of Comet Wild (!!) surface of Comet Wild (!!)

Cryptocomet model:

Loose & fluffy or cinder ‘lag deposit’, insulating the underlying icy matrix (? 1 metre)

Densified underlying ice-clay-kerogen layer of thickness 2 metres

Deep porous low density ice-clay-kerogen matrix How to mine this??

We could encounter a weakly bound rubble pile –

or a fragment of one:

Large boulders, voids, ‘macroporosity’ at depth

Grading finer to gravel regolith at surface

?? Ices in voids??

How to mine this??

Impact development of megaregolith

TerrestrialTerrestrial Project DevelopmentProject Development Path:Path: ““Desktop” studies: Desktop” studies: whatwhat to look for, & to look for, & where where

Open-literature and proprietary data reviewsOpen-literature and proprietary data reviews

Reconnaissance of prospective target areasReconnaissance of prospective target areas

Identification of potential targetsIdentification of potential targets

Field work identifies extended mineralizationField work identifies extended mineralization

Drillout of prospect to define orebodyDrillout of prospect to define orebody

Metallurgical testwork to confirm extractabilityMetallurgical testwork to confirm extractability

Project conceptual planning / prefeasibility studiesProject conceptual planning / prefeasibility studies

Bankable Costing & Feasibility Study (& EIS)Bankable Costing & Feasibility Study (& EIS)

Funding and Project Go-AheadFunding and Project Go-Ahead

Construct and CommissionConstruct and Commission

Mining Engineering and EconomicsMining Engineering and Economics

““Material is Material is oreore onlyonly if you can if you can minemine, , processprocess, , transporttransport and and marketmarket it for a it for a profit”profit”..

Terrestrial Mine Project PlanningTerrestrial Mine Project Planning involves involves choosingchoosing between between competing mining & metallurgical extraction competing mining & metallurgical extraction conceptsconcepts, to: , to:

Minimize Capital Expenditure (Capex),Minimize Capital Expenditure (Capex), Minimize operating cost (Opex),Minimize operating cost (Opex), Consistent with desired Production Rate, and alsoConsistent with desired Production Rate, and also Minimize payback time, and Minimize payback time, and Minimize project risk Minimize project risk -and thereby--and thereby-

Maximize Maximize Expectation Net Present ValueExpectation Net Present Value

So must it be also, in Space Mining…So must it be also, in Space Mining…

Bankable Feasibility StudyBankable Feasibility Study must develop: must develop:

A Mining PlanA Mining Plan, based on an, based on an Accurate orebody modelAccurate orebody model, and a , and a Metallurgical Process FlowsheetMetallurgical Process Flowsheet, based on, based on Accurate understanding of the ore, Accurate understanding of the ore, which which optimises Recovery,optimises Recovery, and and minimizes Capexminimizes Capex, , OpexOpex, & , & Payback TimePayback Time, and , and optimizes the Production Rateoptimizes the Production Rate, so as to, so as to

maximize the maximize the Expectation Net Present ValueExpectation Net Present Value..

Choice of Mining Plan and Process is Choice of Mining Plan and Process is often often surprisingly difficult-surprisingly difficult---

Some cautionary tales from Oz mining scene --Some cautionary tales from Oz mining scene --

Olympic DamOlympic Dam Cu-U-Au projectCu-U-Au project: very non-obvious : very non-obvious mining and processing choicesmining and processing choices

Mulga RocksMulga Rocks U+ base metals projectU+ base metals project: ditto ditto: ditto ditto

Nolans Rare Earths projectNolans Rare Earths project: very challenging : very challenging process developmentprocess development

Beverley UBeverley U In-Situ LeachIn-Situ Leach: seriously compromised : seriously compromised by lack of accurate orebody model…by lack of accurate orebody model…

The “Economic Imperative” for The “Economic Imperative” for Asteroid Mining: Asteroid Mining:

Maximize Expectation NPV implies Maximize Expectation NPV implies

Minimize project risk Minimize project risk Simplest possible extraction, Simplest possible extraction, processing, and propulsion systems – KISS principleprocessing, and propulsion systems – KISS principle

Minimize CAPEX Minimize CAPEX single or double launch, unmanned; single or double launch, unmanned;

Maximize returned payload fraction Maximize returned payload fraction minimize return minimize return v v including capture into Earth orbitincluding capture into Earth orbit

Minimize return Minimize return v v target’s orbit should be low target’s orbit should be low eccentricity and earth grazing; use lunar flyby capture eccentricity and earth grazing; use lunar flyby capture

Minimize payback time Minimize payback time minimum duration mission minimum duration mission target asteroid semi-major axis target asteroid semi-major axis 1 AU; 1 AU;

Synodic period constraint Synodic period constraint ‘single season’ mine mission ‘single season’ mine mission

Asteroid Mining Project EconomicsAsteroid Mining Project Economics will will be driven bybe driven by

MINER MASS and LAUNCH COSTMINER MASS and LAUNCH COST

SPECIFIC MASS THROUGHPUT OF MINERSPECIFIC MASS THROUGHPUT OF MINER

MISSION DURATION and MASS RETURNEDMISSION DURATION and MASS RETURNED

DELTA-V for RETURN into Earth OrbitDELTA-V for RETURN into Earth Orbit

POWER & PROPULSION SYSTEM parameters POWER & PROPULSION SYSTEM parameters

VALUE PER KG DELIVERED TO VALUE PER KG DELIVERED TO LEOLEO GEOGEO or or HEOHEO

Mining MethodMining Method AdvantagesAdvantages DisadvantagesDisadvantages

Surface reclaim with Surface reclaim with ‘snowblower’‘snowblower’

(accepted)(accepted)

robust process; easyrobust process; easy

to handle loose soil; easy to handle loose soil; easy to monitorto monitor

Problems with anchoring & Problems with anchoring & containment; surface will be containment; surface will be desiccated.desiccated.

Solar Bubble vaporizer Solar Bubble vaporizer (rejected)(rejected)

Simple, Collects volatiles Simple, Collects volatiles onlyonly

Unacceptably high Unacceptably high membrane tension; how to membrane tension; how to (a) seal (b) anchor?(a) seal (b) anchor?

In-Situ VolatilizationIn-Situ Volatilization

(rejected)(rejected)

simple concept; asteroid simple concept; asteroid body gives containment.body gives containment.

needs low permeability; needs low permeability; risks are loss of fluid; risks are loss of fluid; clogging; & blowout.clogging; & blowout.

Explosive Explosive DisaggregationDisaggregation

(potential)(potential)

Very rapid release of Very rapid release of mass, short timeline.mass, short timeline.

Capture of material is Capture of material is unsolved.unsolved.

Downhole Jet Downhole Jet Monitoring Monitoring (rejected)(rejected)

Mechanically simple; Mechanically simple; Separates mining from Separates mining from processing task.processing task.

Need gas to transport Need gas to transport cuttings to processor. cuttings to processor. blowout risk high.blowout risk high.

Underground miningUnderground mining

by mechanical ‘mole’ by mechanical ‘mole’ (accepted)(accepted)

reduced anchoring & reduced anchoring & containment problems; containment problems; physically robustphysically robust

Mechanically severe; hard to Mechanically severe; hard to monitor; must move cuttings monitor; must move cuttings to surface plantto surface plant

Mechanical miner – ‘SpaceMole’?Mechanical miner – ‘SpaceMole’?

Must solve these basic tasks:Must solve these basic tasks: Anchoring (onto a micro-gravity body!)Anchoring (onto a micro-gravity body!) ComminutionComminution Ground control (even in micro-g)Ground control (even in micro-g) Containment of product cuttingsContainment of product cuttings Handling of cuttings thru ProcessorHandling of cuttings thru Processor Separation and storage of product(s)Separation and storage of product(s)

Comparisons with Terrestrial MiningComparisons with Terrestrial Mining

Best comparisons are withBest comparisons are with

Remote, high grade, very high value, high margin, Remote, high grade, very high value, high margin, small throughput, exotic product operations….small throughput, exotic product operations….

see following slides:see following slides:

Terrestrial Remote High Value MinesTerrestrial Remote High Value Mines

Klondike Goldrush, 1898Klondike Goldrush, 1898

Ekati diamond mine, Canada (access by ice road, 10 weeks Ekati diamond mine, Canada (access by ice road, 10 weeks per year)per year)

Namibia offshore diamond dredging (Skeleton Coast)Namibia offshore diamond dredging (Skeleton Coast)

Artisanal goldminers in Brazil, PNG and elsewhereArtisanal goldminers in Brazil, PNG and elsewhere

Bulolo goldfields, New Guinea, 1930’s (more airfreight than Bulolo goldfields, New Guinea, 1930’s (more airfreight than entire rest of world totalentire rest of world total, to build 8 x 1500 tonne dredges), to build 8 x 1500 tonne dredges)

Shinkolobwe, Belgian Congo, 1920’s; and Port Radium, Shinkolobwe, Belgian Congo, 1920’s; and Port Radium, Canada, 1930’s (Radium was $100,000 / gram!) Canada, 1930’s (Radium was $100,000 / gram!)

Nautilus Deep Sea Massive Sulphides (Manus Basin, PNG) Nautilus Deep Sea Massive Sulphides (Manus Basin, PNG)

BHP-Billiton Ekati Diamond mine, NWT, Canada:

10 weeks ice road access per year….

At the height of the Mt Kare gold rush in the highlands of Papua New Guinea, these villagers would flag down passing helicopter taxis to fly them to the bank…

Andamooka opal fields, South Australia

Bulolo Goldfields, 1930’s

Read ‘Not a Poor Man’s Field’ by Waterhouse, Halstead Press

Notes from Terrestrial Mining (2)Notes from Terrestrial Mining (2)

There is aThere is a vastvast range of range of orebody types & orebody types & geometries, thus vast range of mining methodsgeometries, thus vast range of mining methods:: Open pit (shallow or deep, soft or hard rock, strip mine, Open pit (shallow or deep, soft or hard rock, strip mine,

dredge, …)dredge, …)

Underground (room & pillar, Long-Hole Open Stoping, Underground (room & pillar, Long-Hole Open Stoping, cut & fill, block cave)…cut & fill, block cave)…

In Situ Leach...In Situ Leach...

Must understand your orebody and choose correct Must understand your orebody and choose correct (and robust) method or risk project failure(and robust) method or risk project failure

Ore grade is measured in…Ore grade is measured in…

Gold: Gold: grams per tonne (ppm)grams per tonne (ppm) Uranium:Uranium: kg per tonne (or lb/ton)kg per tonne (or lb/ton) Pb, Ni, Cu:Pb, Ni, Cu: %%

But in reality, mining engineers talk about ore But in reality, mining engineers talk about ore grade in terms of --grade in terms of -- $ per tonne$ per tonne

So should we… So should we… for example, see next: for example, see next:

Haul truck, Prominent Hill Copper Mine, 200 km NW of Woomera, South Australia: Cu grade = 2%; Au = 0.2 g/t

Value of ore at recent Cu & Au price = $170 / tonne

PGMs or Water or Ni-Fe?PGMs or Water or Ni-Fe?

Assume we have a Assume we have a target asteroid which containstarget asteroid which contains

50 ppm PGMs 50 ppm PGMs and and 10% H10% H22O O andand 10% Ni-Fe 10% Ni-Fe::

PGMs value PGMs value (on Earth) (on Earth) $4,000 / tonne of regolith ore $4,000 / tonne of regolith ore HH22O or Ni-Fe value O or Ni-Fe value (in orbit)(in orbit) $1 x 10$1 x 1066 / tonne / tonne of ore of ore

(replacing $10,000 / kg cost if launched from Earth)(replacing $10,000 / kg cost if launched from Earth)

Which product is more important??Which product is more important??

Is this Is this “ore”“ore” ? ? - Only if we can mine, process, transport, and sell the Only if we can mine, process, transport, and sell the

product, AT A PROFITproduct, AT A PROFIT……

Comparisons with Terrestrial (2)Comparisons with Terrestrial (2)

Seabed Mining of Massive Metal Sulphides in Seabed Mining of Massive Metal Sulphides in Volcanic Black Smoker Vent chimneysVolcanic Black Smoker Vent chimneys

Some interesting parallels with asteroid mining---Some interesting parallels with asteroid mining---- very high value ore, multiple products- very high value ore, multiple products- small multiple deposits, mineable sequentially- small multiple deposits, mineable sequentially- low mass throughput (down by factor of 50-100)- low mass throughput (down by factor of 50-100)- mobile, teleoperated equipt- mobile, teleoperated equipt- ‘terra nullius’ if outside national EEZ- ‘terra nullius’ if outside national EEZ- no landowner ident & compensation issues!!- no landowner ident & compensation issues!!

Exploring for Seabed Massive Sulphides offshore PNG

(in active Black Smokers and extinct Black Smoker chimney strewnfields on seamounts)

Metal grades can be +50%

Seabed Massive Sulphides …

Why Seabed Massive Sulphides --Why Seabed Massive Sulphides --

Lower discovery costs: exposed, easy samplingLower discovery costs: exposed, easy sampling

Low cost / easy trial miningLow cost / easy trial mining Shorter project lead time: easy ore access (no Shorter project lead time: easy ore access (no

shaft, decline, or open pit prestrip)shaft, decline, or open pit prestrip) No landowner compensation costsNo landowner compensation costs Cheaper beneficiation, easier metallurgy, less Cheaper beneficiation, easier metallurgy, less

materials handling: all due to ultra-high gradematerials handling: all due to ultra-high grade

No ‘pit to port’ infrastructure: major Capex item No ‘pit to port’ infrastructure: major Capex item in terrestrial miningin terrestrial mining

Seabed Massive Sulphides (2)Seabed Massive Sulphides (2)

Cheaper plant: build in shipyard, sail to siteCheaper plant: build in shipyard, sail to site FPSO vessel can even be FPSO vessel can even be leasedleased: removes single : removes single

biggest Capex item!biggest Capex item! Single plant can access several deposits Single plant can access several deposits

sequentially, hence -sequentially, hence - Lower feasibility hurdle: access to multiple deposits Lower feasibility hurdle: access to multiple deposits

plus plant mobility means not necessary to confirm plus plant mobility means not necessary to confirm full ‘mine life’ reservesfull ‘mine life’ reserves

Much less waste & enviro impact due to low mass Much less waste & enviro impact due to low mass throughput: thanks to ultra-high gradesthroughput: thanks to ultra-high grades(adapted from presentation by Julian Malnic, Nautilus CEO, 2000)(adapted from presentation by Julian Malnic, Nautilus CEO, 2000)

Note the amazing parallels of Deep Sea Massive Sulphides Mining with our hypothesized NEA Mining….

Notes from terrestrial Notes from terrestrial processingprocessing

From From simplesimple ( (gravity, magnetic, electrostatic gravity, magnetic, electrostatic separationseparation) to ) to highly complexhighly complex, including, including

Pyrometallurgical (smelters, fire refining etc)Pyrometallurgical (smelters, fire refining etc) Hydrometallurgical (leaching, solvent extraction)Hydrometallurgical (leaching, solvent extraction) ElectrolyticElectrolytic Vapour separation!! (Mond nickel process)Vapour separation!! (Mond nickel process)

Terrestrial Processing (2)Terrestrial Processing (2)

MetallurgicalMetallurgical flowsheet: how to separate the product(s) flowsheet: how to separate the product(s) from the waste - This is from the waste - This is more complex and difficultmore complex and difficult if trying if trying to extract to extract multiplemultiple products: products:

Solid / solid separation : density or electrostaticSolid / solid separation : density or electrostatic

Solid / liquid sep’n: by dissolution / precip’n / filteringSolid / liquid sep’n: by dissolution / precip’n / filtering

Solid / vapour sep’n: volatilization, eg Mond processSolid / vapour sep’n: volatilization, eg Mond process (nb: vapour processes are (nb: vapour processes are limited by low massflows)limited by low massflows)

Liquid / liquid: smelting, melt electrolysis etcLiquid / liquid: smelting, melt electrolysis etc

-- -- Must choose correctly or you may lose your projectMust choose correctly or you may lose your project

Comparisons with Terrestrial (3)Comparisons with Terrestrial (3)

NEAsNEAs are prolific are prolific, with subset having low , with subset having low ΔΔvv Many are very prospective for HMany are very prospective for H22O, Ni-FeO, Ni-Fe

VeryVery valuable ore ($1x10 valuable ore ($1x1066 / tonne) / tonne) EasyEasy extraction (??) extraction (??) Target return parcels Target return parcels 500 - 5,000 tonnes 500 - 5,000 tonnes

Asteroid resource return missions will be Asteroid resource return missions will be analogous to short campaign or Trial Mining analogous to short campaign or Trial Mining of very high value oresof very high value ores

So what will an Asteroid Miner look So what will an Asteroid Miner look like?? – I don’t know, but:like?? – I don’t know, but:

Design depends on target orebody ‘model’ Design depends on target orebody ‘model’ Small, highly integrated, digger (plus processor?)Small, highly integrated, digger (plus processor?) Assume solar powered (nuclear is out, politically)Assume solar powered (nuclear is out, politically)

Assume main products are raw silicate, HAssume main products are raw silicate, H22O, and / O, and /

or Ni-Fe delivered into LEO, GEO, or HEEOor Ni-Fe delivered into LEO, GEO, or HEEO

We await only development of We await only development of market in orbitmarket in orbit……

Ultimately, Remote Miners will process regolith Ultimately, Remote Miners will process regolith In-Situ to produce propellant for return, In-Situ to produce propellant for return,

But – But – and this is very recent finding, and this is very recent finding, from our from our own studies, & validated by the Keck Workshopown studies, & validated by the Keck Workshop::

For objects smaller than (say) 7 metres diameter,For objects smaller than (say) 7 metres diameter,

and in low-eccentricity earth-grazing orbits,and in low-eccentricity earth-grazing orbits,

it it now appears to be possible to return the now appears to be possible to return the entire entire bodybody to High Elliptical Earth Orbit (HEEO), to High Elliptical Earth Orbit (HEEO),

using using Earth-origin propellant and high Isp electric Earth-origin propellant and high Isp electric propulsion (eg Hall Thrusters)….propulsion (eg Hall Thrusters)….

This technology is no more demanding than a This technology is no more demanding than a communications satellite….communications satellite….

What we are up to, near term:

Papers for ISDC and AIAA;Further development of concept(s):

Bring the Bring the Asteroid to the AstronautsAsteroid to the Astronauts

A radical alternative to the planned 2025 asteroid visit

Al Globus, Chris CassellAl Globus, Chris Cassell, , Jim Luebke, Mark Sonter,Jim Luebke, Mark Sonter,

Bryan Versteeg, and James Wolff,Bryan Versteeg, and James Wolff,

ISDC 2012, Washington, DCISDC 2012, Washington, DC

Don’t Send the Astronauts to the AsteroidDon’t Send the Astronauts to the Asteroid

Asteroids to AstronautsAsteroids to Astronauts

Our alternative is to Our alternative is to bring multiple small asteroids bring multiple small asteroids into High Earth Orbit (HEO)into High Earth Orbit (HEO) where astronauts set where astronauts set up mining equipment on them. Requires:up mining equipment on them. Requires: Identification and characterization of candidate asteroids Identification and characterization of candidate asteroids

in terms of size, mass and rotation ratein terms of size, mass and rotation rate Vehicle to capture asteroid, despin and perturb asteroid Vehicle to capture asteroid, despin and perturb asteroid

orbits into Earth-orbit-intercept trajectoryorbits into Earth-orbit-intercept trajectory A thrust program A thrust program Δv Δv under a few hundred m/s, to enable under a few hundred m/s, to enable

lunar gravity assists to bring asteroid into HEOlunar gravity assists to bring asteroid into HEO System to bring astronauts to HEO and maintain themSystem to bring astronauts to HEO and maintain them Asteroid mining hardware and proceduresAsteroid mining hardware and procedures Markets for asteroidal materialsMarkets for asteroidal materials

Why We Think This WorksWhy We Think This Works

Damon Landau, JPL, Keck Workshop Oct 2011:Damon Landau, JPL, Keck Workshop Oct 2011: Analyzed lunar assist return for 1991VG, 2006RH120, Analyzed lunar assist return for 1991VG, 2006RH120,

2007UN12, and 2009BD2007UN12, and 2009BD ResultResult

500 ton asteroid to HEO500 ton asteroid to HEO- assuming a density of 3 tons/m- assuming a density of 3 tons/m33 ~ 5-6 m diameter ~ 5-6 m diameter

40 kW near-term solar electric propulsion (SEP)40 kW near-term solar electric propulsion (SEP)- 8 tons of Xenon fuel required.- 8 tons of Xenon fuel required.

Falcon HeavyFalcon Heavy $80-120 million/flight$80-120 million/flight 14-16 tons payload14-16 tons payload

Sonter’s catcher net: friction surfaces (brake pads) on all joints to absorb rotational energy

Asteroid Retriever probe with Capture Bag extended

(from Asteroid Retrieval Feasibility, Brophy et al, being report of the JPL Keck Institute Asteroid Workshop, Oct 2010)

ComparisonComparisonAstronauts to AsteroidAstronauts to Asteroid Asteroid to AstronautsAsteroid to Astronauts

Six months travel timeSix months travel time Six days travel timeSix days travel time

No rapid returnNo rapid return Return in three daysReturn in three days

No resupplyNo resupply Resupply in three daysResupply in three days

Fixed, short stay timesFixed, short stay times Indefinite stay timesIndefinite stay times

Much larger Δv, new vehicles requiredMuch larger Δv, new vehicles required Smaller Δv, Falcon Heavy and Dragon Smaller Δv, Falcon Heavy and Dragon sufficientsufficient

One asteroid per missionOne asteroid per mission Potentially many asteroids per missionPotentially many asteroids per mission

Repeat visits to same asteroid very Repeat visits to same asteroid very difficultdifficult

Repeat visits easyRepeat visits easy

Cannot supply asteroid materials Cannot supply asteroid materials markets beyond sciencemarkets beyond science

Potentially supply multiple asteroid Potentially supply multiple asteroid materials marketsmaterials markets

Some contribution to planetary Some contribution to planetary defensedefense

Includes full planetary defense system Includes full planetary defense system (detection and deflection)(detection and deflection)

Single, monolithic systemSingle, monolithic system Many nearly independent components Many nearly independent components of intrinsic valueof intrinsic value

The KeyThe Key• Use gravity assists to bring the Δv down to the 100s of m/s

• Find candidates that will enter the Earth-Moon system in a few years• For Δv-inf < 0.8/1.5 km/sec use lunar assist into HEO

• Assume• Asteroid density 3.3 tons/m3

• Engine exhaust velocity 35 km/sec (solar electric)

So -- in summary:So -- in summary:

Physically this should not be too difficult -Physically this should not be too difficult -The ‘bus’ design appears to be not much more The ‘bus’ design appears to be not much more difficult than a commsat – queries remain around difficult than a commsat – queries remain around design of grabber and processingdesign of grabber and processing

We therefore seek to make contact with We therefore seek to make contact with potential users of in-space resources…potential users of in-space resources…

And with resource developers looking for And with resource developers looking for new high-value markets and prospectsnew high-value markets and prospects

For queries, contact

Mark Sonter, sontermj@tpg.com.au