Why Humans Visit The Asteroid Belt Region in the Future
Between Mars and Jupiter lies a massive field of unique space rocks of different sizes. These asteroids exist in large quantity and scientists are still struggling to estimate the exact number of space rocks within this Asteroid belt region.
Generally, astronomers refer to this region as the asteroid belt region and it contains some of the most precious celestial bodies in the solar system. For instance, resources in asteroids like the Psyche 16 within this region could literally make everyone on Earth a billionaire.
Now, let’s explore the possibility of humans visiting the asteroid belt region in the future. If you look at the human desire to explore distant space worlds, you will realize that we are so eager to see what the universe is preserving for humankind outside our planet.
NASA has used some of its most powerful spacecraft to study the asteroid belt region that lies between Mars and Jupiter. Based on the outcome of their observations, they concluded that mining resources from asteroids within the belt system could be beneficial to our kind.
The American Space Agency recently sent a spacecraft to study the psyche 16 asteroid within the asteroid belt system. NASA plans to use the outcome of this research to carefully prepare for future missions to the space rock. So when will humans think of visiting the asteroid belt region in the future? Continue reading to find out.
Why we need to Mine Asteroid within the Asteroid Belt System
Before 2035, we should be expecting the first set of astronauts to have landed on the lunar surface to commence with crewed exploration of the red planet. SpaceX, NASA, and other space agencies are hoping to build the first human settlement on Mars before the 2050s.
Although these space agencies are already researching how to convert the abundant Martian soil into 3D printing materials, they will probably think of mining asteroids to extract potential materials to build habitats on Mars.
Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX envisioned building a massive self-sustaining city on Mars before 2054. The tech billionaire cannot send the entire supplies to build these sophisticated directly from Earth. The need to extract some construction materials from some asteroids within the asteroid belt region will surely arise.
However, SpaceX and NASA are not yet fully ready to commence with asteroid mining anytime soon. However, other companies are already preparing to attempt the first robotic asteroid mining as soon as possible.
Before the 2040s, when these space agencies were building the first official settlement on Mars, these asteroid mining companies must have developed the needful technologies to commence operation within the asteroid belt region.
Resources extracted from these asteroids will be used to build one of the most futuristic cities on the Martian surface. Space agencies will transport some of these resources back to Earth under the concept of interplanetary trade.
Why Humans Will Visit the Belt System in the Future
During the early face of mining asteroids, only robotic and humanoids will commence with the operations first. These robotic workers will travel to the asteroid belt region with futuristic spacecraft to start the operation process.
The miners will use advanced tools to extract the resources from the asteroid. They will package the extracted resources from the asteroid and proceed to return them to Mars where they will either be used or sent to Earth.
Once, the human population begins to increase on Mars in the 2050s, more people will become interested in visiting the asteroid belt system for tourism and exploration. SpaceX and other companies will capitalize on this opportunity to send humans to the asteroid belt region for a fee. During this exploration, the crew will study the asteroid belt system and learn more about it.
They will also land on its surface to have a feel of walking on the surface of a small space rock. The advanced extra Vehicular activity that the crew will wear to walk on these asteroids will be highly advanced and highly protective.
Knowledge acquired from these space missions will inspire more tourists and researchers to visit the asteroid belt system before 2100 when humans will focus more on exploring Titan.
