Asteroids: Anchoring and sample acquisition approaches in support of science, exploration, and in situ resource utilization

Abstract

The goal of this chapter is to describe technologies related to asteroid sampling and mining. In particular, the chapter discusses various methods of anchoring to a small body (a prerequisite for sampling and mining missions) as well as sample acquisition technologies and large scale mining options. These technologies are critical to enabling exploration, and utilization of asteroids by NASA and private companies.