The case for space

Abstract

This paper was written with the hypothesis that the earth was running out of non-renewable energy sources, and that off-world-resources, specifically metals from the moon and Near Earth Objects (NEOs) would be critical in transitioning to renewable energy sources. A projection of energy needed to raise and maintain an adequate worldwide standard of living over the next fifty years is compared with projections of future energy sources and the requirements to transition to renewable energy sources are noted. As it turns out, the needed technologies are at hand, but certain "energy metals" that are key to generating and storing energy efficiently are lacking in the earth's crust. These metals, namely the platinum group, uranium, thorium, cobalt, and nickel, were deposited on earth by asteroid impact and the near side of the moon and NEOs are prime locations for mining an adequate supply. To that end, this paper proposes a novel way to transport ore from the moon to earth and shows the economics can work.