On Sept. 24, 2023, NASA’s OSIRIS-REx became the first U.S. mission to deliver a sample of an asteroid to Earth. This article provides answers to frequently asked questions about the mission.
Read More OSIRIS-REx: Frequently Asked QuestionsThe asteroid belt, located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, consists of a large number of rocky and metallic bodies that vary in size from small boulders to objects that are hundreds of kilometers in diameter. While often portrayed as a densely packed region in popular culture, the asteroid belt is actually quite sparse, with vast distances separating individual asteroids. Nonetheless, this region presents significant opportunities for scientific research, mineral extraction, and commercial ventures. This article reviews the characteristics of the asteroid belt and discusses its growing importance in the realm of the space economy.
Read More The Asteroid Belt and Its Relevance to the Space EconomySpaceX Starship serves as a fully reusable spacecraft designed and developed by SpaceX, the American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation company. Founded by Elon Musk, SpaceX seeks to revolutionize space travel and make it more cost-effective. The Starship project plays a central role in this vision. The spacecraft is intended to carry both crew and cargo to destinations such as the Moon, Mars, and potentially beyond.
Read More Overview of the SpaceX StarshipThe report discusses the Indian space program’s history, drivers, and its impact on the global space market. The Indian space program is one of the oldest in the world and has played a critical role in India’s national development and external power projection capability. The program is known for its low-cost launches and has sent missions to the Moon and Mars. The paper identifies three main drivers for India’s space program: nationalism, entrepreneurship, and national security.
Read More Report: Indian Space Program and its Drivers: Possible Implications for the Global Space Market (ESGI 2022)In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) refers to the practice of extracting and processing raw materials from an extraterrestrial environment, such as the Moon, Mars, or asteroids, to create usable products. The term “in situ” is Latin for “in place,” highlighting that these resources are used in the location where they are found, rather than being transported from Earth. The concept encompasses a range of activities, from mining minerals and extracting water from lunar or Martian soil, to producing fuel, air, and building materials for use in space missions or colonies.
Read More What is In-Situ Resource Utilization and its Relevance to the Space Economy?