Space mining to be a reality in 10 years
The moon could be mined for resources as soon as 2016 according to scientists.
NEW SOUTH WALES (Web Desk) - Space and mining researchers from around the world are gathering at the Australian Centre for Space Engineering Research (ACSER) at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney for the inaugural Off Earth Mining Forum.
They are looking at developing machines that can harvest materials from lunar soil while being remotely controlled from earth.
Experts in space exploration, engineering, robotics, drilling and a space lawyer shared ideas about how existing technologies can be applied to develop remote-controlled mining in space.
At present, large-scale space mining is the stuff of science fiction movies.
But Gordon Roesler, Senior Project Engineer at ACSER, insists it is not only safe, but could have positive environmental consequences for life on earth.
