[meteorite-list] Mining Asteroids

[ian macleod]

Hi List, I love the romantic idea that asteroids will be mined one day. However considering that on Earth whole terrestrial mines are shut down that contain ore or oil cheaper to obtain than sending a space x rocket and crew (or robot) to an asteroid. I hardly think mining asteroids will eventuate anytime soon. 


Even if we used space x re-usable rockets....... It just would not be cost effective at the moment!


Mining water or low scale mining as we explore space might be the first step, this saves a re-fuelling or a water trip.


look at China and the world markets, massive slowing down (and disappearing)  of capital.........


-Apple just lost like 20% or so, that equivalent to the size of Pepsi in $
-China down at least 3 trillion!
-Australia down 40 billion at least
-Oil companies writing off reserves that cannot or will not be explored within 5 years (and this stuff is cheap compared to asteroid mining)


So in all REALITY it is just a pipe dream for now


Cheers


Ian