Space mining: a review of current research and developments

DOI: https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2024-4-75-80

Читать на русскоя языкеА.K. Kirsanov, S.A. Vokhmin, G.S. Kurchin, E.P. Volkov
Siberian Federal University, Krasnoyarsk, Russian Federation
Russian Mining Industry №4 / 2024 p.75-80

Abstract: Due to gradual depletion of the Earth’s resources, space mining, which was once a futuristic idea, is now rapidly becoming an area of active research. This paper provides an overview of relevant research and engineering developments aimed at creating new methods and technologies for resource extraction on extraterrestrial celestial bodies such as the Moon or asteroids. The study shows the resource potential that humankind can begin to exploit for its needs and provides a brief list of already active programs of different space agencies aimed at further space exploration. The paper discusses the existing technological advances and commercial interests promoting this activity. Besides, it shows such promising space mining areas as automated robotic systems, biomining, various kinds of blasting, and transportation of asteroid parts to the Earth for further extraction of useful components. The paper also provides information on the existing life support technologies required to secure comfortable existence of the specialists on the space bodies, in case the chosen technology implies it. Relying on the analysis of the current state of research and development, the authors conclude that further efforts in the area of space mining are promising and important for the future exploration of outer space and for meeting humanity’s resource needs.

Keywords: space mining, extraterrestrial resources, asteroid mining, asteroid exploration, planetary geology, resources of space bodies, space economics

For citation: Kirsanov А.K., Vokhmin S.A., Kurchin G.S., Volkov E.P. Space mining: a review of current research and developments. Russian Mining Industry. 2024;(4):75–80. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2024-4-75-80


Article info

Received: 04.06.2024

Revised: 04.07.2024

Accepted: 11.07.2024


Information about the authors

Aleksandr K. Kirsanov – Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Senior Lecturer of the Department of Mine and Underground Construction, Siberian Federal University, Krasnoyarsk, Russian Federation; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sergey A. Vokhmin – Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Head of the Department of Mine and Underground Construction, Siberian Federal University, Krasnoyarsk, Russian Federation; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Georgy S. Kurchin – Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Senior Lecturer of the Department of Mine and Underground Construction, Siberian Federal University, Krasnoyarsk, Russian Federation; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Evgeny P. Volkov – Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Senior Lecturer of the Department of Underground Deposit Development named after N.H. Zagirov, Siberian Federal University, Krasnoyarsk, Russian Federation; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


References

1. Кирсанов А.К., Саая С.Ш., Карванен А.Е., Анушенков С.В., Лопатина А.Н. Обзор современного состояния мировой горнодобывающей промышленности. Маркшейдерия и недропользование. 2023;(2):38–43. https://doi.org/10.56195/20793332_2023_2_38_43 Kirsanov A.K., Saaya S.Sh., Karvanen A.E., Anushenkov S.V., Lopatina A.N. Overview of the current state of the global mining industry. Mine Surveying and Subsurface Use. 2023;(2):38–43. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.56195/20793332_2023_2_38_43

2. Fleming M., Lange I., Shojaeinia S., Stuermer M. Mining in space could spur sustainable growth. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 2023;120(43):e2221345120. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2221345120

3. Мельниченко А.М. Увеличение доли маломасштабных и среднемасштабных месторождений в горнодобывающем комплексе России. Горный информационно-аналитический бюллетень. 2015;(11):400–402. Режим доступа: https:// giab-online.ru/files/Data/2015/11/400_402_11_2015.pdf (дата обращения: 24.06.2024). Mel’nichenko A.M. About increasing the part of the small-scale and middle-scale deposits in mining sector of Russian Federation. Mining Informational and Analytical Bulletin. 2015;(11):400–402. (In Russ.) Available at: https://giab-online.ru/files/Data/2015/11/400_402_11_2015.pdf (accessed: 24.06.2024).

4. Мининг С.С. Геолого-экономическая оценка месторождений твердых полезных ископаемых в условиях истощения минеральных ресурсов. Маркшейдерский вестник. 2005;(4):48–49. Mining S.S. Geological and economic assessment of solid mineral deposits in the context of the depletion of mineral resources. Mine Surveying Bulletin. 2005;(4):48–49. (In Russ.)

5. Kirsanov A.K., Katyshev P.V. Economic drivers of seabed mining. Izvestiya vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii. Gornyi Zhurnal. 2024;(1):20–26. Available at: https://www.mining-science.ru/download/2024/1-2024/002.pdf (accessed: 24.06.2024).

6. Хайрутдинов М.М., Конгар-Сюрюн Ч.Б., Тюляева Ю.С., Хайрутдинов А.М. Планетная технология. Предпосылки формирования новой научной дисциплины. Горная промышленность. 2020;(3):113–120. https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2020-3-113-120 Khayrutdinov M.M., Kongar-Syuryun Ch.B., Tyulyaeva Yu.S., Khayrutdinov A.M. Planetary Technology. Prerequisites for the Formation of a New Scientific Discipline. Russian Mining Industry. 2020;(3):113–120. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2020-3-113-120

7. Dahl C., Gilbert B., Lange, I. Mineral scarcity on Earth: Are Asteroids the answer. Mineral Economics. 2020;33(1-2):29–41. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13563-020-00231-6

8. Cannon K.M., Gialich M., Acain J. Precious and structural metals on asteroids. Planetary and Space Science. 2023;225:105608. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pss.2022.105608

9. Łuszczek K., Przylibski T.A. Selected metal resources on H chondrite parent bodies. Planetary and Space Science. 2021;206:105309. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pss.2021.105309

10. Ананьев П.П., Мещеряков Р.В., Ларионов П.В., Плотникова А.В., Беляков К. О. Методические подходы к переработке космического минерального сырья. Руды и металлы. 2017;(2):69–74. Ananyev P.P., Meshcheryakov R.V., Larionov P.V., Plotnikova A.V., Belyakov K.O. Methodical approaches to cosmic mineral material processing. Ores and Metals. 2017;(2):69–74. (In Russ.)

11. Paikowsky D., Tzezana R. The politics of space mining – An account of a simulation game. Acta Astronautica. 2018;142:10–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2017.10.016

12. Mazanek D.D., Merrill R.G., Brophy J.R., Mueller R.P. Asteroid Redirect Mission concept: A bold approach for utilizing space resources. Acta Astronautica. 2015;117:163–171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2015.06.018

13. Serres M. How Luxembourg becomes Europe’s commercial space exploration hub. Annales des Mines – Réalités industrielles. 2019;(2):69–72. https://doi.org/10.3917/rindu1.192.0069

14. Мунтян М.Е., Сигаури-Горский Е.Р. Опыт Японии в области исследования и использования космического пространства: национальные и международно-правовые аспекты. Теория и практика общественного развития. 2023;(8):226–233. https://doi.org/10.24158/tipor.2023.8.29 Muntyan M.E., Sigauri-Gorsky E.R. Japan’s experience in the exploration and use of outer space: National and international legal aspects. Theory and Practice of Social Development. 2023;(8):226–233. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.24158/tipor.2023.8.29

15. Choi Y. Review of space industry and technology for asteroid mining. Journal of the Korean Society of Mineral and Energy Resources Engineers. 2021;58(6):640–651. https://doi.org/10.32390/ksmer.2021.58.6.640

16. Steffen O. Explore to exploit: a data-centred approach to space mining regulation. Space Policy. 2022;59:101459. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spacepol.2021.101459

17. Badesce V. (ed.) Asteroids. Prospective Energy and Material Resources. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer; 2013. 689 p. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-39244-3

18. Шустов Б.М. Космические ресурсы для развития экономики и науки. Воздушно-космическая сфера. 2019;(4):46–55. https://doi.org/10.30981/2587-7992-2019-101-4-46-54 Shustov B.M. Space resources for industry and science. Aerospace Sphere Journal. 2019;(4):46–55. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.30981/2587-7992-2019-101-4-46-54

19. Брюханов Н.А., Легостаев В.П., Лобыкин А.А., Лопота В.А., Сизенцев Г.А., Синявский В.В. и др. Использование ресурсов Луны для исследования и освоения Солнечной системы в XXI веке. Космическая техника и технологии. 2014;(1):3–14. Brukhanov N.A., Legostaev V.P., Lobykin A.A., Lopota V.A., Sizentsev G.A., Sinyavskiy V.V. et al. Use of lunar resources for solar system exploration and exploitation in the 21st century. Space Engineering and Technology. 2014;(1):3–14. (In Russ.)

20. Лемешевский С.А., Графодатский О.С., Ширшаков А.Е., Москатиньев И.В., Митькин А.С., Балиев А.В. Космическая транспортная система для освоения малых космических тел. Вестник НПО им. С.А. Лавочкина. 2018;(2):47–55. Lemeshevskii S.A., Graphodatsky O.S., Shirshakov A.E., Moskatiniev I.V., Mitkin A.S., Baliyev A.V. Space transport systems for industrial and scientific development of small celestial bodies. Vestnik NPO im. S.A. Lavochkina. 2018;(2):47–55. (In Russ.)

21. Chpolianski D., Zhang Z.X. Review on quarrying methods suitable for space mining missions. Journal of Sustainable Mining. 2024;23(2):8. Available at: https://oulurepo.oulu.fi/handle/10024/48711 (accessed: 24.06.2024).

22. Satish H., Radziszewski P., Ouellet J. A review of mining technologies for space. In: Proceedings of the Canadian Design Engineering Network (CDEN) Conference, Kaninaskis, Alberta, July 18–20, 2005. https://doi.org/10.24908/pceea.v0i0.3879

23. Mueller R.P., Van Susante P.J. A review of extra-terrestrial mining robot concepts. In: Earth and Space 2012 – Proceedings of the 13th ASCE Aerospace Division Conference and the 5th NASA/ASCE Workshop on Granular Materials in Space Exploration, April 15–18 2012, USA. IEEE; 2012, pp. 295–314. https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784412190.034

24. Корнеев В.А. Способ проведения наклонной штольни для вскрытия лавовых трубок на Луне и Марсе. Патент РФ. №2787484 C1, МПК E21C 51/00, E21D 9/02, B64G 99/00.: №2022103430: заявл. 10.02.2022: опубл. 09.01.2023.

25. Grandl W., Böck C. Asteroid habitats – living inside a hollow celestial body. In: Handbook of Space Resources. Cham: Springer, 2023, pp. 763–785. Available at: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-97913-3_22 (accessed: 07.05.2024).

26. Grandl W. Human life in the Solar System. REACH. 2017;5:9–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reach.2017.03.001