a profit oriented asteroid based business plan

Paper number

IAC-13,D1,1,4,x17345

Author

Mr. Giorgio Gaviraghi, Unispace Exponential Creativity, Italy

Author

Mr. André Caminoa, Unispace Exponential Creativity, Argentina

Year

2013

Abstract

A number of enabling technologies must be implemented to transform space activities into a profitable business structure and create a space-based economy. To implement human development of different bodies, even those with severe and hostile surface conditions, original technologies, connected with underground construction, must be developed. Since most of them are still under consideration, and at different stages of development, we want to define a plan that can be implemented immediately with either currently available, despite its limitations, or near future technology, utilizing space resources, primarily as small as a 50 m diameter asteroid. The plan consists of several missions that can be summarized as each one progressing with incremental steps toward an improved technology and goals: 
\begin{itemize}\item Phase 1: Rendezvous, dock, install deflection system, perform manufacturing activities “In Situ Resources Utilization” (ISRU) based.\end{itemize} \begin{itemize}\item Phase 2: Deflect asteroid in given trajectory (cyclical Earth-Moon).\end{itemize} \begin{itemize}\item Phase 3: At earth proximity send equipment, including 3D printing to build facility with ISRU resources.\end{itemize} \begin{itemize}\item Phase 4: Install spaceport and ensure Earth-Moon transportation with asteroid acting as cruiser and feeders at Earth and Moon proximity transferring pax and cargo.\end{itemize} \begin{itemize}\item Phase 5: Install LOX manufacturing equipment and use station to launch and refuel trans-lunar missions.\end{itemize} \begin{itemize}\item Phase 6: Equip station with facilities for passengers and cargo.\end{itemize} \begin{itemize}\item Phase 7: Equip station with space debris collection, storage and transformation system, and equip station for retriever manufacturing and assembly.\end{itemize} \begin{itemize}\item Phase 8: Start asteroid retrieval operations.\end{itemize} \begin{itemize}\item Phase 9: Start a network of asteroid based activities in selected locations, including support for lunar mining activities (He 3, platinum, etc.).\end{itemize} 
With such sequence and other planned activities, a successful business plan, with low starting costs, could be implemented assuring fast and profitable ROIs. In this paper, we describe such activities from the technical and economical point perspective as part of a logical and immediately feasible space–based business plan.

Abstract document

IAC-13,D1,1,4,x17345.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

(absent)