Asteroid Resource Utilization: Ethical Concerns and Progress

Andrew S Rivkin ,Aparna Venkatesan,Chris Lewicki,Monica Vidaurri ,Elizabeth A Frank ,M P Milazzo ,Philip T Metzger

doi:10.3847/25c2cfeb.173706d5

Abstract

As asteroid mining moves toward reality, the high bar to entering the business may limit participation and increase inequality, reducing or eliminating any benefit gained by marginalized people or developing nations. Consideration of ethical issues is urgently needed, as well as participation in international, not merely multilateral, solutions.

Highlights

This past decade has seen a vast amount of wealth created through the development of technology
This wealth has largely been concentrated in the hands of a very small number of people, who as a result have achieved tremendous influence in Western society
We recommend that NASA, NSF, and other Federal agencies clarify the ways in which private, for-profit asteroid mining companies that use publicly-developed technologies will reward that public investment, with audits showing that those companies follow ethical guidelines as a condition of future funding

Summary

Introduction

This past decade has seen a vast amount of wealth created through the development of technology. Pilchman (2015) notes that asteroid mining is likely to increase inequality on Earth, and be an unethical practice, unless it can be regulated to bring benefits to all5.

Results

Conclusion