We are the Frontier
World

Nations and Firms Have Expanded Asteroid Mining Efforts

Global powers have accelerated space exploration to secure critical mineral supplies from asteroids.

Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Space

A metallic robotic probe with mechanical drills operates near the jagged, cratered surface of an asteroid in the darkness of space.
Global space agencies and private firms have accelerated asteroid research programs, targeting iron and rare earth minerals to bolster international supply chains. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should private companies be permitted to extract and profit from resources found in outer space?

Global space agencies and private companies have increased efforts to reach and analyze asteroids for potential resource extraction. These research-stage initiatives are driven by the search for iron, nickel, water, and rare earth elements.

Why it matters

The urgent pursuit of space-based resources is fueled by rising global demand for electronics materials and geopolitical competition. This development signals a shift toward treating asteroids as a strategic supply chain for industrial minerals.

Current sampling technology has demonstrated the ability to return up to 120 grams of material, while test missions like the 2025 CaptureBag project have evaluated inflatable sacks for asteroid containment. These missions compare to a estimated population of 1 billion asteroids in the solar system.

The players

NASA

The United States federal agency responsible for civilian space exploration and advanced aeronautics research.

JAXA

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, which focuses on robotic space exploration and sample return missions.

China National Space Administration

The national space agency of China that executes complex deep-space probes and lunar exploration missions.

AstroForge

A private space mining startup developing technology for deep-space resource extraction.

The details

Space agencies use robotic probes to intercept asteroids and deploy collection mechanisms. Private firms are experimenting with laser-based excavation technology designed to operate in zero-gravity environments, where traditional mining tools fail due to a lack of surface traction. Agencies are also developing methods to move 100-tonne asteroids into manageable orbits for easier access.

Timeline

  1. JAXA's Hayabusa2 returned material from asteroid Ryugu in 2020.

  2. NASA's Osiris-Rex returned samples from asteroid Bennu in 2023.

  3. China's Tianwen-2 probe reached asteroid Kamo'oalewa in July 2026.

  4. AstroForge plans to launch the DeepSpace-2 mission in 2027.

  5. The UAE plans to launch the MBR Explorer in 2028.

The Tech Race

This race follows a precedent set by the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, which prohibits sovereign appropriation of celestial bodies. While national agencies secure samples, private firms are currently testing commercial extraction methods to overcome these legal and technical barriers.

This development impacts global supply chains for electronics and fuel as nations seek alternatives to terrestrial rare earth mining. Practical, mass-scale asteroid mining remains in the research stage, with no defined timeline for market-ready availability of space-derived materials.

The takeaway

The race to mine space is accelerating as global powers treat asteroids as future mineral reserves. Watch for new domestic laws in the coming years that attempt to clarify resource ownership rights while the 1967 Outer Space Treaty remains in force.

What happens next

AstroForge is scheduled to launch its DeepSpace-2 mission in 2027, followed by the UAE's MBR Explorer mission in 2028 and the arrival of NASA's Psyche mission at its target asteroid in 2029.

Further reading

For more on the current state of extraterrestrial exploration, visit Space.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Hindustan Times.

Live Poll

Should private companies be permitted to extract and profit from resources found in outer space?