The United Nations Outer Space Treaty of 1967 does not allow nations to put military weapons in space or aggressively take territory. It does however allow for mining operations, and the newest space race is heating up in that area.
Some very cool events have been brewing that bode well for outer space mining. Items including smartphones and computers require rare-earth materials that are more abundant on asteroids and other planets, and space mining is an opportunity for the future, so there are massive incentives to undertake space mining ventures.
NASA is offering a bounty for moon rocks, and is extending the offer to private enterprise. The government is indirectly subsidizing the beginning of efficient space mining ventures, which is a step in the right direction. NASA is sponsoring private enterprise to take a leap forward into space mining.
Mining materials is a costly and labor-intensive process. Much of the materials that are easy to mine have already been mined, and materials including gold are becomming harder to find. Space is the next frontier for miners, and new engineering processes including AI and robots can help push the endeavor forward. We need to subsidize asteroid and space mining so we can obtain materials we need in the future.
Originally published in my blurt account at the link below:
https://blurtter.com/blurtech/@valiant003/mining-in-outer-space-essential-for-our-future-and-encouraged-by-nasa
Also published in my Steemit account at myblurtrides1.
Sources:
Pixabay image.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.sciencefocus.com/space/space-mining-the-new-goldrush/amp/