Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Is Planetary Resources An Asteroid Mining Company?

http://www.technovelgy.com/ct/Science-Fiction-News.asp?NewsNum=3614

The above/below link was posted 4/19/2012 just before the Planetary Resources 4/24/2012 Press Conference.

I was at this website following up on a question from Tice as to what might be the first mention of asteroid mining in Science Fiction.  There is a YouTube interview with Peter_Diamandis where he doesn't tell all, hence the speculation.
- LRK -

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Is Planetary Resources An Asteroid Mining Company?
Planetary Resources is a new company that is expected to make a splash next week. The firm is backed by an all-star list of future-thinking entrepreneurs including James Cameron, Larry Page, Eric Schmidt, Peter Diamondis, Eric Anderson and Charles Simonyi.


(Planetary Resources: Cameron, Page, Schmidt et al)

The purpose of the new venture is not entirely clear, but the press release fascinates space enthusiasts:
...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’.
In addition, take a look at this recent video in which Peter Diamondis talks about his dream job:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=nwxizEMuSB8
Science fiction fans have long been exposed to the implications of asteroid mining; you may recall the asteroid mining robot from Isaac Asimov's 1944 short story Catch That Rabbit and the asteroid mine from Emmett McDowell's 1946 short story Love Among the Robots.
The earliest specific mention I can think of is from Edison's Conquest of Mars, a 1898 story by Garrett P. Serviss:

I shall never forget the sight, nor the exclamations of wonder that broke forth from all of us standing around, when the yellow gleam of the precious metal appeared under the "star dust." Collected in huge masses it reflected the light of the sun from its hiding place.Evidently the planet was not a solid ball of gold, formed like a bullet run in a mould, but was composed of nuggets of various sizes, which had come together here under the influence of their mutual gravitation, and formed a little metallic planet.
Judging by the test of weight which we had already tried, and which had led to the discovery of the gold, the composition of the asteroid must be the same to its very centre.
(Read more about asteroid mining)
We'll know for sure after their press conference next Tuesday at the Charles Simonyi Space Gallery at The Museum of Flight in Seattle.
Via MIT's Technology Review.
snip
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I had found the original link to http://www.technovelgy.com while looking at the Wiki site for Asteroid mining. 
(ref #38 link followed)
- LRK -

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Asteroid mining refers to the possibility of exploiting raw materials from asteroids and other minor planets, including near-Earth objects.[1] Minerals and volatiles could be mined from an asteroid or spent comet then taken back to Earth or used in space for space-construction materials. Materials that could be mined or extracted include iron, nickel, titanium for construction, water and oxygen to sustain the lives of prospector-astronauts on site, as well as hydrogen and oxygen for use as rocket fuel. In space exploration, using resources gathered whilst on a journey is referred to as in-situ resource utilization.

In fiction

The first mention of asteroid mining in science fiction is apparently Garrett P. Serviss' story Edison's Conquest of Mars, New York Evening Journal, 1898.[38][39]. C. J. Cherryh's novel,Heavy Time focuses on the plight of asteroid miners in the Alliance-Union universe.
snip
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http://www.technovelgy.com/ct/content.asp?Bnum=1930

http://www.technovelgy.com/ct/ctnlistPubDate.asp
Timeline of Science Fiction Ideas, Technology and Inventions
(sorted by Publication Date)

snip
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As mentioned, more about the story, "Edison's Conquest of Mars."
- LRK -

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Edison's Conquest of Mars by Garrett P. Serviss:
Science Fiction Inventions, Technology and Ideas

Select an invention:

Aerial Telegraph 
Air-Tight Suit - air-tight dress 
Asteroid Mining 
Disintegrator 
Electrical 'Tether' 

snip
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If you have the time do read some comments from Ben Bova about about a new discovery or invention that starts with the words, "It may seem like science fiction ..."
- LRK -

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Ben Bova: Mining asteroids? Old news to science-fiction writers

snip [I wonder how they expect you to find their link? - LRK -]
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And if you haven't already watched the press conference, or been to the Planetary Resources website.
- LRK -

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There are near-limitless numbers of asteroids and more being discovered every year. More than 1,500 are as easy to reach as the Moon and are in similar orbits as Earth. Asteroids are filled with precious resources, everything from water to platinum. Harnessing valuable minerals from a practically infinite source will provide stability on Earth, increase humanity’s prosperity, and help establish and maintain human presence in space.
Published on Apr 26, 2012
Doug King, President & CEO of the Museum of Flight, opens the launch press event for Planetary Resources, Inc. on April, 24, 2012 at the Museum of Flight's Charles Simonyi Space Gallery. Visit www.PlanetaryResources.com for more information.

snip
Published on Apr 24, 2012
This is the full webcast from the Planetary Resources event that was hosted April 24th 2012 (56:30 min)
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Is the mood right to have commercial enterprises go to an asteroid?
Please, send in the robots first.
Hmmm, PHOENIX RISING, DARPA to send repair satellites to dead satellites.
- LRK -
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WHAT THE MIND CAN CONCEIVE, AND BELIEVE, IT WILL ACHIEVE - LRK -

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