What to Expect
Space mining, once a concept confined to science fiction, is becoming a reality as companies develop technologies to extract resources from asteroids, the Moon, and other celestial bodies. These resources, including water, metals, and rare minerals, could support space exploration and Earth’s clean energy transition. As of July 2025, several companies are leading this emerging industry, each with unique technologies and products. This article explores the key players, their innovations, and their contributions to the space mining frontier.
Interlune
Interlune is a U.S.-based company focused on harvesting lunar resources to support sustainable economies both on Earth and in space. Its primary goal is to extract materials like water, helium-3, and metals from the Moon’s surface. Interlune’s technology centers on automated robotic systems designed to operate in the Moon’s harsh environment. These robots use advanced drilling and excavation tools to collect lunar regolith, the loose soil covering the Moon’s surface. The regolith is then processed to extract valuable resources, such as water, which can be converted into fuel or life support systems for lunar missions.
Interlune’s flagship product is a modular resource extraction system that integrates robotic rovers with in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) units. These units heat regolith to release water vapor or separate metals for use in space construction. The company emphasizes sustainability, aiming to reduce the need to launch heavy materials from Earth by producing them on the Moon. Interlune’s work could enable long-term lunar bases and lower the cost of deep space exploration.
ispace Technologies
ispace Technologies, a Japanese company, is a pioneer in lunar resource exploration. It focuses on locating, extracting, and delivering lunar ice to customers in cis-lunar space, the region between Earth and the Moon. The company’s vision is to create a lunar economy by providing water and other resources for space missions. ispace’s technology includes lunar landers and rovers equipped with sensors to map and analyze the Moon’s surface for ice deposits.
Its main product, the Hakuto-R lunar lander, is designed to deliver payloads to the Moon and collect data on resource locations. The lander uses high-resolution cameras and spectrometers to identify water-rich areas. ispace also develops compact rovers that can drill into the lunar surface and extract ice samples. These samples are processed into usable water or hydrogen fuel, critical for sustaining human presence on the Moon. The company’s efforts align with international plans to establish lunar research stations within the next decade.
AstroForge
AstroForge, a U.S. startup, is dedicated to mining asteroids for precious metals like gold, platinum, and rare earth elements. Unlike lunar-focused companies, AstroForge targets near-Earth asteroids, which are rich in minerals vital for Earth’s technology and energy sectors. The company’s approach involves sending small spacecraft to prospect and extract resources from these asteroids.
AstroForge’s key technology is a fleet of compact, autonomous spacecraft equipped with drilling and refining tools. These spacecraft are designed to latch onto asteroids, drill into their surfaces, and process materials in space. The extracted minerals are then stored for return to Earth or use in space-based manufacturing. AstroForge’s primary product, still in development, is a refining module that can purify metals in microgravity, reducing the need for costly Earth-based processing. The company has already secured funding for demonstration missions to test its technology, with plans to observe target asteroids by late 2025.
TransAstra
TransAstra, another U.S.-based company, focuses on space logistics and resource harvesting from asteroids. Its mission is to provide abundant, sustainable energy and materials for space exploration while addressing challenges like space debris. TransAstra’s technology combines asteroid prospecting with innovative propulsion systems to make resource extraction efficient and scalable.
The company’s flagship product is the Omnivore, a spacecraft designed to capture and process asteroid materials. The Omnivore uses optical mining technology, which employs concentrated sunlight to heat asteroids and release volatile materials like water. This water can be converted into fuel or used for life support in space. TransAstra also develops the Sutter Survey, a telescope system to identify resource-rich asteroids. By mapping asteroid compositions, the company ensures its missions target the most valuable objects. TransAstra’s work could enable self-sustaining space habitats and reduce reliance on Earth-based supplies.
Origin Space
Origin Space, a Chinese company, is advancing space mining through robotics and satellite technology. It focuses on extracting resources from asteroids and the Moon while also addressing space debris. Origin Space’s vision is to build a robust space economy by providing materials for Earth and space-based industries.
The company’s key products include a robotic system for asteroid mining and a lunar rover for resource detection. The asteroid mining robot, designed for low-gravity environments, drills into asteroid surfaces and processes materials on-site. The lunar rover, equipped with elemental detection tools, identifies valuable minerals and collects samples for analysis. Origin Space also operates a commercial space telescope satellite to survey potential mining sites. These technologies position the company as a leader in the Asian space mining sector, with plans to expand its operations in the coming years.
Fleet Space Technologies
Fleet Space Technologies, an Australian company, is known for its work in space technology and critical mineral exploration. While primarily focused on Earth-based mining, it has expanded into space mining to locate resources on the Moon and asteroids. The company’s expertise in satellite technology gives it an edge in mapping extraterrestrial resources.
Fleet’s primary product is a constellation of small satellites that provide high-resolution imaging and data analysis. These satellites use advanced sensors to detect mineral compositions on celestial bodies, helping identify viable mining sites. The company also develops compact rovers for lunar exploration, capable of collecting samples and transmitting data back to Earth. Fleet’s technology supports the growing demand for minerals essential to renewable energy technologies, positioning it as a versatile player in the space mining landscape.
Summary
The space mining industry is rapidly evolving, with companies like Interlune, ispace Technologies, AstroForge, and others pushing the boundaries of resource extraction beyond Earth. Each company brings unique technologies, from lunar water refineries to asteroid-drilling robots, to unlock the potential of space resources. These innovations could reduce the cost of space exploration, support sustainable lunar bases, and provide critical materials for Earth’s clean energy future. As these companies advance their technologies, the dream of a thriving space economy moves closer to reality.
