Asteroid mining is the process of extracting valuable resources from asteroids in space. These celestial bodies are rich in metals like gold, platinum, and nickel, which can be used for various industrial applications on Earth. The idea is to send spacecraft to collect these materials, potentially reducing the need for mining on our planet and helping to preserve natural resources.
The technology for asteroid mining is still in development, but several companies and space agencies are exploring the possibilities. NASA and private firms like Planetary Resources are researching methods to identify and reach asteroids, aiming to make this futuristic concept a reality in the coming decades.