FAST Space Corporation: Pioneering the Space Mining Sector

To become a truly Space Fairing Race, the need to find valuable resources in space is a necessity, and metals such as Nickel, Palladium, Titanium, and Rhodium, will play a leading role in this.

FAST Space Corporation is set to revolutionize the space mining sector as part of our broader Space Exploration and Technology initiatives.

Leveraging our experience in mining technology, rare earth metals, spacecraft design, sustainable operations, and coming from a country (South Africa) that has some of the most advanced mining technology globally, we have developed a fully executable, and more so, realistic plan to become a leader in mining resources from asteroids, planetary moons, and planets themselves.  

With sufficient funding in place, our plan can be operational within five years, positioning FAST Space Corporation ahead of the field in space mining.

Introduction to Space Mining

Space mining represents humanity’s next great frontier, offering unparalleled excitement and opportunities for innovation. The financial rewards for harvesting minerals and rare elements from celestial bodies are potentially astronomical, with estimates suggesting that a single asteroid could yield trillions of dollars in valuable resources. This promise has spurred a growing interest among companies eager to capitalize on this sector.

However, as glamorous and exciting as “Space Mining” sounds, the journey is far from straightforward. Many new organizations planning to venture into this sector grossly underestimate the technical, logistical, and economic challenges involved.

The synergy between space mining and exploration are undeniable and deeply interdependent. Space exploration provides the reconnaissance and research necessary to identify viable mining targets, while the materials mined in space can fuel further exploration missions. However, this mutual reliance also means that the complexities of one sector will inevitably influence the other, requiring seamless integration and innovation to succeed.

Deciding on What to Mine and Where

Decision WHAT to mine, and WHERE to mine are both critical questions to any mining operation, whether on Earth or in Space, because the terrain or environment where the resource could be extreme, and in space even more so, and different celestial bodies present unique challenges.

Asteroids: Often composed of dense, hard materials such as iron and nickel, require robust equipment capable of penetrating extremely tough surfaces.

Moons & Planets: Offer a variety of resources, including water ice, rare earth metals & minerals, but low gravity compared to Earth affect mining operations differently.

Addressing the obstacles

Space Mining requires careful planning, and there are several key areas that need to be solved first to become a successful space mining company.

Life Support

Starting with the three most vital needs, Food, Water, and Oxygen. With ALL Space Mining Resources located millions of miles from earth, technology to sustainably provide these 3 vital needs are crucial, and current technology on the Tiangong and ISS Space Stations is lacking severely.

Propellant

Rocket Propellant might as well be considered part of Life Support, because without enough fuel you are going to be stranded millions of miles from home.

Ship Size & Design

Mining and Ore Processing machinery & equipment, Crew Quarters, Final Product Storage, etc. will demand significantly larger spacecraft than currently used, and these larger ships can only be manufactured in space due to launch constraints from earth limiting payload dimensions and weight.

FAST Space Corporation’s first space mining ship will have dimensions of 134 m Length, 36 m Width, and 40 m Height, constructed on earth in modular sections and assembled in earth orbit. Additionally, a dedicated fuel tanker and supply ship will be stationed at Lagrange Point-1 (38,000 miles from the Moon) to support mining operations and ensure consistent supply lines between Earth and Space.

Equipment & Machinery

The equipment and machinery required for space mining will be far more durable and adaptable than their terrestrial counterparts. These tools must operate effectively in zero-gravity environments, extreme temperatures, and under constant exposure to space radiation.

Relying on cutting-edge technology, particularly in rare earth metals, will enable us to design and produce mining equipment that meets rigorous demands, which can also advance terrestrial mining equipment.

Electricity & Power Generation

Electricity and power generation are critical to the success of any space mission, especially for operations as energy intensive as space mining. From powering heavy machinery and ore-processing equipment, to supporting all life-support systems and maintaining spacecraft, the demand for reliable and abundant power cannot be overstated.

FAST Space Corporation is uniquely positioned to address this challenge by leveraging the vast experience and expertise of Rolls-Royce Power Systems, who have a long and distinguished history of providing dependable power generating systems to some of the most challenging mining operations on Earth. Combining their technology with our own technology, we ensure a robust and adaptable power generation solution for space mining.

Additional to our power generation strategy is Rolls-Royce’s development of a Micro Nuclear Reactor designed for space applications, set to be completed by 2027. The reactor measures 10 feet x 3.3 feet, and producing 5-10 MW of power, making it ideal for spacecraft. Its compactness and high efficiency allow us to equip our spaceships with 2 or more such reactors to ensure sufficient power supply.

Manpower & Mining Robots

Space mining will require a combination of human expertise and robotic efficiency. Skilled manpower is crucial for managing operations, solving unforeseen problems, and ensuring mission success. South Africa, with its deep-mining heritage, will play a pivotal role.

South African miners are accustomed to working in extreme conditions and overcoming unexpected challenges, making them ideal candidates for space mining missions.

Robots will also play an essential role, particularly in tasks that are too dangerous or repetitive for humans. FAST Space Corporation envisions a collaborative relationship between humans and robots, where machines learn from their human counterparts, adapting to a wide range of scenarios.

Our extensive network of mining professionals and technological experts ensures that this synergy will drive operational excellence.

We are committed to shaping the future of space mining by overcoming challenges, leveraging advanced technologies, and integrating human ingenuity with robotic innovation. Our vision, coupled with a comprehensive plan and sourcing sufficient funding, will position us to lead the way in unlocking the vast potential of space resources.