2. The Importance of Natural Resources from Space and Key Challenges

The first question that arises with respect to the space mining enterprise is whether or not there is a business case for it. It is a very technically demanding and costly undertaking that requires decades of effort to succeed. Further, the risk level is extremely high. This chapter explains the rate at which rare natural resources are being consumed by a global population that is expanding in twenty-first century toward 12 billion people. It explains that not only are valuable rare natural resources such as platinum abundantly available in space, but so are water and other vital resources. Further, the hydrogen and oxygen in “space water” can be used as rocket fuel. It can cost thousands of dollars to get a kilogram of water into space beyond Earth’s gravity. Human society must find a strategy to develop a way to sustain its key natural resources and cope with climate change over the longer term, but natural resources from space can be a part of this longer term strategy.