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Space-Based Resources | Resource Acquisition & Utilization

Home Space Resources

A primary research interest of the Institute for Space Development is in the location, acquisition, and utilization of space based resources for use by human operations and eventual settlements. We are very interested in the way that resources from space may eventually be used to alleviate resource pressures on Earth and simultaneously create a space-economy.

It will certainly be quite some time before natural resources acquired in space are available or economically viable here on Earth. Their first uses will be in space to support our growing efforts there. Learning to use space resources to sustain and support development efforts is a key early step along the path to significant infrastructure development. The fact is that we just can't launch everything. We'll need to bootstrap using space resources to maximum extent while minimizing launch requirements.

Resourcing Space: In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU)

As humans move into space to work and eventually to live, we'll need to find ways to use the local environments to survive and local natural resources to develop. Additionally, a space economy will need to be established in which resources are shared among different locations, including Earth where possible. The Institute for Space Development is particularly interested in:

• "Living off the land". How we make use of what we find.
• In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU).
• Development of habitats and structures in space settlements.
• Resource location, quantification, assessment, acquisition, and utilization.
• Logistics of resource use and distribution along with economic development in space.

Earth / Space Resource & Commodity Analysis and Forecasting

ISD is interested in Earth-based resources / commodities and their long-term futures and the potential for obtaining some these same resources / commodities from space. In particular, we are looking at the data / projections about Earth-based supplies, reserves, and market costs as well as the costs and other considerations related to obtaining them from space.

Chances are the early use of space resources will be almost entirely in space to support emerging industry there. However, as space infrastructure develops and acquisition costs are reduced, it will eventually become profitable to deliver some resources for use on Earth.