Revolutionizing Space Mining with Capture Bags
Asteroids are treasure troves of metals, offering a sustainable alternative for Earth’s dwindling resources. However, mining these celestial bodies poses significant challenges. In response, TransAstra, a California-based company, has developed an innovative solution: the Capture Bag. This inflatable device, made from aerospace-grade materials like Kevlar and aluminum, is designed to capture asteroids and space debris, making it a versatile tool for the future of space mining.
The Capture Bag is available in various sizes, from micro to super-jumbo, capable of enclosing objects ranging from small rocks to massive boulders. Joel Sercel, an aeronautical engineer and founder of TransAstra, emphasizes the need to address four major challenges in asteroid mining: detection, capture, transport, and processing. The company aims to create a mining system that can identify viable targets, secure them, and safely extract their raw materials.
TransAstra has made significant strides in this field, holding around 21 patents and adding nearly one new patent each month. In October, they successfully tested the Capture Bag aboard the International Space Station (ISS), marking a crucial milestone towards developing a full-scale version. With support from private investment and NASA funding, the company has identified hundreds of candidate asteroids, particularly those with Earth-like orbits, and plans to initiate its first mining operation by 2028.
Despite the complexities and costs associated with sample collection from asteroids, TransAstra has raised approximately $12 million in venture capital and $15 million through contracts with organizations like NASA and the U.S. Space Force. To locate potential mining targets, they deploy a network of “Sutter” telescopes across locations in Arizona, California, Australia, and soon Spain, reminiscent of the California Gold Rush.
The company has demonstrated the functionality of a one-meter-diameter Capture Bag in microgravity, showcasing its rapid development cycle. The largest design can envelop an asteroid weighing up to 10,000 tons, and TransAstra is currently constructing a 10-meter version, partially funded by NASA. Before capturing valuable asteroids, they plan to test the technology on space debris to minimize risks.
Interest in asteroid capture and space junk removal is growing. For instance, U.S.-based startup Astroforge launched its probe Odin to survey an asteroid but lost contact shortly after launch. The Capture Bag stands out among various proposed concepts as a practical and cost-effective option. It can manage objects of different shapes and sizes, potentially reducing costs as the technology scales.
While challenges remain, including deploying large, flexible structures in space's harsh environment, TransAstra continues to refine its technology with additional NASA funding. Experts recognize the company's ambitious targets, including its goal to revolutionize space mining and manufacturing in orbit.
