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Space-Based Resources | Resource Acquisition & UtilizationHome
Space both near and far is full of all the resources we'll need to survive and thrive as we expand into our solar system. Now is the time for us to learn to access, process, and utilize them. A primary research interest of the Institute for Space Development Research is in the location, acquisition, and utilization of space based resources for use by human settlements, operations, and potentially for eventual "export" to Earth. We are very interested in the way that resources from space can be used to alleviate resource pressures on Earth and simultaneously create a space-economy. It will certainly be quite some time before resources acquired in space are available or economically viable here on Earth. However, if we consider the emerging world and its exploding use of natural resources and energy it becomes clear that we ought to start thinking about this problem now. Building significant space infrastructure will take quite some time, it can't be done in a hurry in response to a crisis.
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 Research is particularly interested in:
Space Resource MiningSpace-based mining capability and the processing of natural resources as well as eventual space-based manufacturing are critical to the development of an economically self-supporting space infrastructure. The space environment presents many challenges to mining and resource extraction. Considerable research is required to solve problems in astrodynamics, technology and tooling, and transport.
Space-Based Processing & ManufacturingIn time, space operations and development will require the capability to process raw materials and manufacture useful products from them. Significant early demand will be for fuels, air/water, and base metals for infrastructure manufacturing and assembly. In time, these activities will lead to the possibility of "export" to Earth.
Metallic Foams
Metallic foams are very interesting for space-based applications because they are very strong yet considerably lighter than a solid of their parent metal. Further, they retain the physical, chemical, and fireproof properties of their source metal. Thermal conductivity, however, is often reduced. Manufacturing metallic foams on Earth is problematic because gravity makes the molten metal "sink" while the bubbles rise during production. Therefore, low or zero gravity environments are preferred for making uniform foams. Very little work has been done on space-based metal foam production despite the potential for their use in the manufacturing of large space structures in space and using metals found in space. On Earth, metal foams are being looked at as light-weight impact absorbing materials for automobiles and other applications. In space, metal foams might permit the casting of structural components for building using an "erector set" of parts that can be manufactured using metals found in space. Interestingly, metal foams are being investigated, and used in some cases, for bone repair as metal foams can provide a structure for bone to grow into. The long-term application for this approach remains unclear, but dealing with broken bones is an obvious problem in space.
Earth / Space Resource & Commodity Analysis and Forecasting
ISDR is interested in Earth-based resources / commodities and their futures and the potential for obtaining these same resources / commodities from space. In particular, we are looking both 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. We do this in the interest of projecting when and how it will become economically sensible to begin acquiring that resource in 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. We are also looking at the ways in which technology, products, and markets might be affected by the acquisition in space of large quantities of resources that are much more rare on Earth. The are a number of potential technologies already available that are generally cost ineffective to make available on a large scale because they utilize a resource that is too scarce or expensive on Earth already.
Rare-Earth Elements & Exotic "Minor" MetalsNew technologies now emerging on the world stage are increasingly reliant on rare-earth elements and exotic metals that are difficult to source in quantity on Earth. Currently, China provides nearly 97% of the world's rare-earth elements supply and is keeping a full 60% of what they mine. Western nations are on the verge of being highly dependent on Chinese rare-earth elements and exotic, or "Minor" metals for high-technology manufacturing.
We hope you'll consider contributing or donating to the non-profit efforts of the Institute for Space Development Research. Our work supports the effort to explore and develop the near-Earth environment for the benefit of Earth and humanity, research human settlement and space-based resource acquisition, and remove barriers for private industry while creating technical jobs, economic opportunity, and supporting the next generation.
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