Seattle-based technology company, Planetary Resources, Inc.:
Planetary Resources, Inc. announced today its plan to mine Near-Earth Asteroids (NEAs) for raw materials, ranging from water to precious metals. Through the development of cost-effective exploration technologies, the company is poised to initiate prospecting missions targeting resource-rich asteroids that are easily accessible.
Resource extraction from asteroids will deliver multiple benefits to humanity and grow to be valued at tens of billions of dollars annually. The effort will tap into the high concentration of precious metals found on asteroids and provide a sustainable supply to the ever-growing population on Earth.
The company is backed by several notable adventure capitalists, including Larry Page and Eric Schmidt (Google), James Cameron (director), Peter H. Diamandis, M.D. (Founder of X Prize), and Ross Perot, Jr. (rich dude).
I am excited to see what comes from this venture - especially since our government doesn’t deem science very important.