California-based AstroForge, an asteroid mining company, managed to raise $13-million in seed funding for future missions. They are developing new technology that would enable them to process asteroid material and are set to test the spacecraft in late 2022 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. They plan on mining platinum-group metals (PGMs), such as palladium (catalytic converters, etc.), rather than other exotic materials.
AstroForge’s two co-founders, CEO Matt Gialich and CTO Jose Acain, says the startup will return samples “bigger than any space agency.” Unfortunately, the company did not disclose what kind of technology will be used to mine these platinum-group metals from the asteroid, although we’ll get an answer soon enough if the test launch is a success later this year. On Earth, we still have companies trying to build a cryptocurrency-themed water park, called Crypto-Park.
LEGO Ideas NASA Apollo Saturn V 92176 Outer Space Model Rocket for Kids and Adults, Science Building Kit (1969 Pieces)
- Bring to life the rocket launch that took humans to the moon with the meter-high (approximately 1: 110 scale) model rocket of the NASA Apollo Saturn V
- The Saturn V rocket kit includes 3 removable rocket stages (first, s-ii second, and s-ivb third) below the launch escape system, command and service module; Plus, there are 2 minifigures to accompany the Lunar Lander and splashdown rocket toy
- After building the Saturn V rocket, you can display the spacecraft horizontally with 3 stands; The Lunar Lander docks with the command and service modules while the Lunar Orbiter sends the rocket into space
- Recreate space adventures with this NASA toy and action figures based off of the included booklet about the manned Apollo Moon missions and the fan designers of this build and play set
- This spaceship toy measures over 39-inches (100cm) high and 6-inches (17cm) in diameter; It includes 1,969 pieces and is ideal for boys and girls 14 years or older
If we can access the unlimited resources from space, we can move away from harmful mining practices on Earth and get the materials we need to expand our scientific abilities. To say this is a game-changer is an understatement,” said Brett Gibson, general partner at Initialized Capital.
