Start conquering meteorites

Scientists and businesses are studying how to discover and 'embrace' meteorites to exploit raw materials for humans.

The motive for scientists and entrepreneurs to understand meteors comes primarily from human survival instincts , rather than concerns about the possibility that the Earth is impacted by meteorite fragments and the extinction of humankind. . Meteors can be a source of raw materials, materials, and materials when humans have exhausted resources on Earth or when meteorite exploitation is available.

El Pais newspaper (Spain) quoted scientist Julia de Leon, of the Spanish Institute of Astrophysics (IAC) of Spain and an expert in spectroscopy, said recently that a number of businesses were concerned. interested in astronomical research and 'spent money on the study of key components in meteorites' . This step will enable businesses to be ready to mine minerals on meteorites on an industrial scale, when possible.

Meanwhile, the professor of astronomy and astrophysics at the University of Valencia (Spain), an expert on the origin and formation of cosmic objects, thinks businesses have not exploited meteorites because not yet profitable, 'but surely in the future they will do so'.

Picture of a broken meteor.(Source: NASA).

Astrophysicist Javier Licandro, also of the IAC Institute, specializes in studying small objects in the Solar System, arguing that the most practical way is to harness meteorites as a resource to build cosmic objects, rather than to use on Earth. He said that going to meteorites to exploit and bring materials to Earth would be very expensive, but it could be used to make satellites and set up space stations right on the meteorite. This will reduce costs compared to bringing satellites to space. It is also possible to harness energy on meteors to provide long journeys in space. Some meteorites contain oxygen and hydrogen, which are the main elements to produce fuel in the universe and they 'will be used as interplanetary gas stations'.

Scientists also discuss the possibility of realizing fictional movies in the near future: it is the 'domination' of cosmic objects inside or outside the Solar System to serve as a settlement for humans. Because it is certain that at some point, the Earth will become impenetrable to humans. Astronomers think that in about 5,000 million years, the Sun will turn into a giant red planet that threatens the Earth. This scenario may come sooner considering the serious devastation of the atmosphere or a sudden transformation of the Earth's climate.

Julia de León said that before the Sun was destroyed, it was people who could turn the Earth into an indispensable place: "war, poverty, pollution .". She called in parallel with exploring the universe, human beings need to change their minds to survive. While astrophysicist Javier Licandro predicts, no technology can avoid the Sun's heat, so 'migrating to another place is not only an option but the only way to humans exist '.

Citing the early human adventures to find new lands, exploring the Earth, scientists believe that in the future, after leaving Earth, people will have to search for supplies in journeys beyond the Solar System to reach habitable places. It is even possible to perfect the spacecraft right on the way to find a new place to live. He said that humans now have enough technology to travel to other planets but 'we haven't done it yet because it's not necessary and ineffective'.

The missions are underway

A number of cosmic surveys have laid the groundwork for commercial travel. Humans launched space ships to meteors to take material samples, take them to Earth and analyze them. The first flight was the Japanese Hayabusa, which landed at the Itokawa meteorite and brought material samples to Earth. Then landed on Ryugu meteorite. Other flights could be NASA's OSIRIS- REx scheduled for the Bennu meteorite, an orbit near Earth's orbit.

So far, NASA's mission is going smoothly. It is expected to reach Bennu in August 2018. After several years of analyzing the surface of Bennu, OSIRIS-Rex will return to Earth carrying the material compartment from Bennu. Scientists are anxious to receive the materials brought back by OSIRIS-Rex to analyze them.

Thus, human beings are taking the first steps to conquer distant lands in the universe to maintain their own existence.