Space Mining Can Enable Sustainable Travel Both on and off Earth

Mining various resources beyond Earth is rapidly approaching both technological and economic viability. Electrification, electronics production, and the Internet of Things are converging to drive immense growth in the demand for rare earth elements (REEs), and asteroids, the Moon, and other nearby celestial bodies are rich in these and other resources. Mining these resources has the potential to dramatically grow revenue for invested companies and controlling nations.

Mining for rocket fuel constituents (e.g., water) has great potential for advancing sustainable, economical spaceflight by enabling spacecraft to refuel after leaving Earth. This capability would dramatically reduce the cost associated with reaching other parts of the solar system. Utilizing resources in situ either as fuel or construction material can enable sustained inhabitation and commercialization on the Moon and beyond.

This Guidehouse Insights report describes the economic drivers of space mining technology and identifies challenges. The report identifies technical, economic, and regulatory challenges to space mining and potential avenues for addressing them. The report also provides recommendations for market participants and discusses the ways in which market potential could be realized.