Asteroid Mining's True Environmental Costs Explored

HT - Lifestyle · lifestyle

Asteroid mining could offer a lower carbon footprint for rare metals compared to Earth-based extraction. Researchers estimate platinum mining from asteroids might produce 150 kg CO2eq per kg, versus 40,000 kg on Earth. However, significant unknowns remain, including the environmental impact of exploration, launch emissions, and potential alterations to asteroids. Increased space launches also risk adding more space junk to Low Earth Orbit, raising collision hazards.