A Feasibility Analysis of a Variable Mass Multiple Asteroid Retrieval Mission

Abstract

This paper aims to analyze the feasibility of a space-mining operation by estimating the expenses of hardware acquisition and refueling operations for a 30-year Multiple Asteroid Retrieval Mission (MARM). The study builds on previous work on possible Near-Earth Asteroids (NEA) capable of being captured using upcoming rocketry for space-based mining. It combines the re-usability of rocket architecture with refueling capabilities to reduce costs. Furthermore, it expands the mission requirements to include a variable retrieval mass, whereas previous work only considered missions that allowed for the entirety of an asteroid to be retrieved. This paper developed a high-level point of view of the mining industry, which proposes to constrain the operation under an estimated amount of investment and logistical cost. Asteroid Retrieval Missions (ARMs) depart from L2 Halo orbit. The time window for the space mining operation is proposed to be three decades starting in 2030. The logistics of fuel from the Earth's surface to L2 Halo is proposed to refueled each ARM. Previously developed data mining online tool that searches for Near-Earth Asteroids (NEA) close approach database from JPL and the small body database from NASA was used as a dataset for possible candidates. The final solution was the retrieval of 60,430 metric tons with the cost per kg of USD 333.44. It reflects an 87.62% reduction in cost per kg compared to previous work.