Mining the sky
by Lewis, John S. · first published 1996
82% recommend18% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Covers how asteroids and near-Earth objects could be mined, including their composition, practical retrieval methods, and the economics involved; suits readers interested in space resources and space settlement.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
What would it be like if entrepreneurs could literally "mine the sky" to solve Earth's three major fulfillment problems: energy, mineral resources, and food? That is the engaging premise of John S. Lewis's visionary new book. What if we could chemically break down the atmosphere of Mars for substances that can be used as spacecraft propellants; hollow out asteroids to transform them into livable habitats for billions of space-bound homesteaders; mine the asteroids for precious metals to be used in space construction projects; milk the comets and the moons of Mars for their vast supplies of wa
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…arguments to keep growing--"given enough eyes, all bugs are shallow" applies to more than just software. More people is a good thing. (1) For a really good treatment on this, read Professor John S. Lewis's _Mining the Sky_ http://www.amazon.com/Mining-Sky-Untold-Asteroids-Planets/dp...
on “The real reason that capitalism is so crash-prone.” ↗For those who are interesting finding out more I would recommend: Mining the Sky by John S. Lewis. It's an excellent book that discusses in length the composition of NEO, possible retrieval methods and economics of such an endeavour. http://www.amazon.fr/Mining-The-Sky-Asteroids-Planets/dp/020...
on “Asteroid Database and Mining Rankings” ↗If you're interested in space mining there's an excellent book called Mining The Sky: Untold Riches From The Asteroids, Comets, And Planets by John S. Lewis that goes into great detail about the how space mining and building in space could work
on “The Planets with the Giant Diamonds Inside” ↗Yes! Mining the Sky was an amazing book. http://www.amazon.com/Mining-Sky-Untold-Asteroids-Planets/dp...
on “Ask HN: What would you do with $700 Billion?” ↗If this is interesting to folks, I highly recommend "Mining the Sky": http://www.amazon.com/Mining-Sky-Untold-Asteroids-Planets/dp....
on “An average half-kilometer S-type asteroid is worth more than $20 trillion.” ↗If this kind of thing interests you and you haven't read it yet, it might be worth reading "Mining the Sky" by John S. Lewis which goes into how this could in theory be done without enormous advancements in technology and what the value would be.
on “Company backed by James Cameron & Google founders may mine asteroids” ↗…and build colonies in Earth or solar orbit. And potentially hugely profitable if they choose a platinum-rich asteroid. See further: 'The High Frontier: Human Colonies in Space' by Gerard K. O'Neill 'Mining the Sky' by John S. Lewis
on “SpaceX plans to debut Red Dragon with 2018 Mars mission” ↗At this point a reference to the groundbreaking and utterly fascinating "Mining the Sky" book by John S. Lewis is in order which should be on everyone's "must read" list.
on “School of Mines Wants to Launch the First Space Mining Program” ↗…itself with its own overgrowth? There are three primary ideas that give me hope in the future of humanity. The first is space settlement, especially on orbital colonies. The books The High Frontier and Mining the Sky are great introductions to this concept. And after a long “space winter”, it’s gaining steam. The second is the humble concept of recycling. I believe technological progress will allow us to recycle…
on “Ask HN: Will humans ever willingly stagnate?” ↗Great response. Googling around led me to order this book on the matter: "Mining The Sky: Untold Riches From The Asteroids, Comets, And Planets" It's a bit old but looks interesting...sadly not available on Kindle. http://www.amazon.com/Mining-Sky-Untold-Asteroids-Planets/dp...
on “Space Stasis (Neal Stephenson)” ↗Some claims about asteroid mining: 1997 book, Mining the Sky, http://www.nss.org/resources/books/non_fiction/NF_011_mining... Sales pitch, http://www.asterank.com
on “Amazon's Jeff Bezos Debuts Spacecraft in First Flight Test” ↗…Objects.[] Mars is a bad idea that needs to go away before we lose the opportunity to perform the actual next step, which O'Neill and others mapped out decades ago. [] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mining_the_Sky
on “Why Not Mars” ↗