Exploring the Scope of Solar Power for Asteroid Mining and Resource Collection Missions

Aryan Bardeja

Abstract: Asteroid mining offers the potential to alleviate Earth's resource scarcity by extracting valuable materials from near-Earth objects (NEOs). A critical enabler of this emerging industry is solar power, which provides a sustainable and efficient energy source for space operations. This paper examines the role of solar power in asteroid mining, highlighting advancements in photovoltaic technology and progression in solar sail power systems. It also explores the economic feasibility, environmental considerations, and future challenges of solar-powered mining operations. As space exploration progresses, solar power is poised to play a central role in the development of a space-based economy through asteroid mining.

Keywords: photovoltaic cells, asteroid mining, solar sailcrafts, propulsion systems, IKAROS, Hayabusa, Hayabusa 2, solar-powered sail

How to Cite?: Aryan Bardeja, "Exploring the Scope of Solar Power for Asteroid Mining and Resource Collection Missions", Volume 13 Issue 9, September 2024, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1008-1011, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR24917001326, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR24917001326