General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: One small step for the 1%, nothing for mankind. n/t [View all]MineralMan
(146,262 posts)those precious metals? They're rare on this planet, rare in meteorites, and most likely just as rare on asteroids, as well.
The "Mines of Space" are common fodder in sci-fi novels from the 1950s. The reality is that mining in space will be of use only to those who are building things on other planets, assuming we ever travel to other planets that can support life. That is questionable, at least as far from now as I can imagine.
Now, if it becomes possible to divert a large asteroid that is on a collision course with the Earth, that would be useful. So far, though, nobody has any plan for that at all.
Most people have a romantic idea of what the future of space travel might be. Such ideas are extremely likely to occur, at best, and not for a very long time in the future. A very long time. We are pretty much stuck in our solar system, unless something amazing and unrecognized gets discovered. We aren't leaving it with people on board - not for a very, very long time.