In 2023 another important mission starts – NASA plans to send a space probe to Psyche. The device will reach the asteroid in 2030. Psyche is of the greatest interest to scientists. This asteroid differs from its neighbors in the belt: it is much larger than them (226 km in diameter) and, presumably, consists entirely of metals. Scientists also believe that Psyche may represent the core of an unformed planet. Astrophysicists plan to determine the age of a celestial body, study the conditions for its formation and chemical composition. “Space” cost of space resources Preliminary radar and spectral studies have shown that Psyche contains not only iron and nickel (90% of the total substance.
If we consider not such large asteroids
Also more valuable elements – gold and platinum group Denmark Cell Phone Number List metals. The value of precious metal reserves is estimated in different ways, some scientists put the amount at $10 quintln. And the cost of all the resources of the Main Asteroid Belt is estimated at $700 quintlon, which is almost $90 billion for every inhabitant of the Earth. Scientists say that even in a small celestial body with a diameter of about a kilometer, the metal fraction can reach 200 million tons. It is mostly iron, with some nickel, cobalt and platinum group metals.
The delivery of these riches to Earth
Which could be worth over $150 billion. In a special USA CFO database, they collected approximate data on the cost of more than 600 thousand asteroids. The sums are based on mass and spectral type. For example, the value of Ryugu, on Earth, is estimated at $82.76 billion, and the possible profit is $30.08 billion. Missions for loot or science? will not be carried out soon. Currently, all missions are research only. There are several reasons. The lack of technology that would allow such heavy loads to be delivered to Earth and still land safely.