Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Some asteroids were found to contain precious metals that could generate cash, unmitigated the amount could reach trillions of rupiah. This has made space mining a hot topic of discussion in recent years.
At least two asteroids have been found that contain high value mineral resources. Namely Asteroids labeled 1986 DA and 16 Psyche.
The asteroid, labeled 1986 DA, is one of only two near-Earth asteroids that contain metal.
Citing the Cnet page, Thursday (7/4/2022), the asteroid with the nickname mini Psyches is worth US $ 11.65 trillion or around Rp. 165,430 trillion (assuming Rp. 14,200/US$).
The 1986 asteroid DA has a width of 1.6 kilometers. It is said that the asteroid is likely to have more iron, nickel and colbalt than the metal reserves on Earth.
According to the researchers’ initial estimates, 85% of asteroids contain metallic minerals and the rest are silicates or normal rocks. Researchers predict the two celestial bodies may be mining targets in the future.
Scientists estimate that the asteroid consists of hills and valleys made of precious metals. The possibility of the object is the core of an ancient rocky planet that crumbled and interestingly the Earth’s core looks like this too.
According to experts, space mining could be a cost-effective source of metals if humans established colonies on either the Moon or Mars.
The asteroid that is often discussed for mining is 16 Psyches. The object is in the belt of Mars and Jupiter with a mineral content of US $ 10,000 quadrillion.
The United States Space Agency or NASA is planning to begin its 16th Psyches mission. Through this mission, the researchers plan to conduct research and confirm allegations of mineral content in it.
But previously, University of Arizona Lunar and Planetary Laboratory professor Vishnu Reddy said there was a need to conduct research on mini psyches.
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