Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Graduate
Project Type
individual
Campus
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Franyerson Lopez Ochoa, Graduate student
Lead Presenter's Name
Franyerson Lopez Ochoa
Lead Presenter's College
DB College of Aviation
Faculty Mentor Name
Dr. Sean Crouse
Abstract
Commercial space mining is becoming integral to the space economy, driven by the need for resources such as water, metals, and platinum-group metals (PGMs) from asteroids and the Moon. It should be noted that these resources have the potential to support long-duration space missions through in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) and Earth-based economic activities. Companies such as AstroForge and TransAstra are leading this transition, from government-led exploration to commercial activity. The paper examines the environmental, technological, and legal implications of asteroid mining, using these companies as case studies. While AstroForge has progressed to in-space demonstrations with its Odin spacecraft in 2025 to survey asteroid 2022 OB5, the mission failed to achieve its primary objective after losing communication, thus underscoring risks in early mining efforts. TransAstra is still in development, focusing on Optical Mining™ and asteroid capture systems, without yet targeting specific asteroids or conducting deep-space missions, reflecting a flexible, infrastructure-oriented strategy. Key environmental concerns include potential scientific opportunity loss, planetary protection risks, dust and debris generation, and changes in asteroid trajectories. The research investigates existing legal frameworks, especially the Outer Space Treaty, which lacks explicit property rights for extracted resources. While national legislation for commercial space mining exists, there is no comprehensive international regime, leading to governance and sustainability uncertainties. Recent developments indicate a move towards transparency in the industry, with primary challenges shifting from corporate secrecy to technological feasibility, environmental sustainability, and international governance frameworks.
Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?
No
Included in
Commercial Space Mining: From Competitive Secrecy to Transparency, Sustainability, and Governance Challenges in the New Race for Extraterrestrial Resources
Commercial space mining is becoming integral to the space economy, driven by the need for resources such as water, metals, and platinum-group metals (PGMs) from asteroids and the Moon. It should be noted that these resources have the potential to support long-duration space missions through in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) and Earth-based economic activities. Companies such as AstroForge and TransAstra are leading this transition, from government-led exploration to commercial activity. The paper examines the environmental, technological, and legal implications of asteroid mining, using these companies as case studies. While AstroForge has progressed to in-space demonstrations with its Odin spacecraft in 2025 to survey asteroid 2022 OB5, the mission failed to achieve its primary objective after losing communication, thus underscoring risks in early mining efforts. TransAstra is still in development, focusing on Optical Mining™ and asteroid capture systems, without yet targeting specific asteroids or conducting deep-space missions, reflecting a flexible, infrastructure-oriented strategy. Key environmental concerns include potential scientific opportunity loss, planetary protection risks, dust and debris generation, and changes in asteroid trajectories. The research investigates existing legal frameworks, especially the Outer Space Treaty, which lacks explicit property rights for extracted resources. While national legislation for commercial space mining exists, there is no comprehensive international regime, leading to governance and sustainability uncertainties. Recent developments indicate a move towards transparency in the industry, with primary challenges shifting from corporate secrecy to technological feasibility, environmental sustainability, and international governance frameworks.