Opening up space with extraterrestrial resources: media invitation

Human beings have so far depended entirely on the material and energy resources found here on Earth. Scientists and science fiction writers have speculated for decades on the impact of exploiting resources in space, from mineral deposits on the Moon and asteroids to harnessing solar energy on a grand scale.

On 8 April space scientists, astronomers and industrialists will come to the Geological Society of London for an RAS conference on how astronomy and space exploration would change if these ambitions were realised.

Speakers at the conference, including senior scientists from ESA, NASA, universities and the private sector, will consider examples like the construction of large space telescopes, sample return missions to the outer solar system, human research stations on the Moon and Mars, and deriving water and fuel from ice on other planets.

Provided by Royal Astronomical Society