Near Earth Objects (NEO) and asteroid mining have since long captured the imagination of space visionaries and science fiction writers. On the 24th of April 2012 the world witnessed the creation of a new initiative that aims at low-cost robotic asteroid exploration, hoping to dramatically expand commercial space activities. The iron, nickel and titanium present in many asteroids can potentially be used as space construction materials, while the extraction of water ice that can be used for the production of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen as rocket propellant.
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