Prof. Dr. Niyazi Bilim, Head of Mining Engineering Department at Konya Technical University (KTUN), said, “If we can bring minerals to our world with space mining, both the mining prices will decrease and we will pave the way for people to lead a more prosperous life in the future.”
Head of the Department Prof. Dr. Niyazi Bilim said that space mining is a study that aims to bring the mines in celestial bodies such as planets, planetary satellites and asteroids to the world and use them for technological purposes.
Stating that space mining seems possible according to the data, Bilim stated that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japan Space Exploration Agency (JAXA) sent spaceships to asteroids, and several vehicles took samples from space and returned.
“SPACE TECHNOLOGY IS A VERY IMPORTANT TECHNOLOGY, WE CAN SAY THE NATIONAL SPACE PROGRAM IS THE FIRST STEP”
Emphasizing that they are faced with the question “Is it worth spending money for space mining”, Bilim noted:
“We first need to establish systems for space mining. While we are installing these systems, we actually start to produce a great technology. The technologies we will produce for space exploration will also contribute to the development of many technologies in our country. If we allocate a budget to these researches and studies and do important works, we will create the infrastructure of not only space technology but also other technologies. Space technology is a very important technology, we can say that the National Space Program is the first step towards this.”
Reminding that the Turkish Space Agency (TUA) and the National Space Program, which were established in 2018, started to work to say “we are in the space league”, Bilim continued as follows:
“If the planned hard landing on the Moon in 2023 is successful, we will be able to start space mining studies. I think it is a great attack that we have started working with the National Space Program. It seems like 3-5 countries are interested in space studies, but when the advantages are seen, other countries will also enter this sector. However, it will not be so easy to produce the appropriate technology and start working immediately. Therefore, we must be prepared. When we think it is profitable, we say ‘we are here’. If we think it is not profitable, we will have developed technology, we will not experience a loss.”
“THE VALUABLE MINERALS IN THE ASTEROID NAMED ’16 PSYCHE’ ARE ABOUT 136 THOUSAND TIMES VALUE OF THE WORLD’S BUDGET”
Stating that some researchers predict that the mines in the world will end in 50-300 years, Science said, “There is an asteroid called ’16 Psyche’, approximately 200 kilometers in size, between Mars and Jupiter. The precious minerals such as platinum, gold, silver, moniple and similar in this asteroid are worth about 136,000 times the world’s budget. If we succeed in transporting it to the earth, there will probably be no poor people left. Of course, over time, the balances will change, new orders will be established, but we will have achieved success in every sense. If we can bring minerals to our world with space mining, both the mining prices will decrease and we will pave the way for people to live a more prosperous life in the future.”
“I BELIEVE THAT THE FULL SPACE MINING WILL BE DONE IN 100 YEARS”
Stating that grams of minerals were brought from asteroids, Bilim continued his words as follows:
“Based on the studies and foresights, I think that tons of minerals can be brought in between 20-50 years. I believe that space mining will be done within 100 years. Although it may sound incredible, the technologies we use today were also incredible for people living 100 years ago. I don’t even think it will reach 100 years.”
Science pointed out that space studies will be an advantageous system where most professions will take place together.
Underlining that the only way for countries to progress today is through science and technology, Bilim said, “If we can advance in science and technology, then we will have a very strong economy and country. As a country, we should both invest in such technologies and our young people should be enthusiastic and work on this issue. I think it is necessary for everyone to support individually and be curious and take care to be in this sector.”
Source: Sabah / Translated by Irem Yildiz