TECHNOLOGY
terrestrial mining , within their board and list of partner advisors , DSI works closely with deep sea bed mining . Deep sea mining and deep space mining have a lot in common , working in difficult and demanding environments to extract core resources .
Deep space mining and the terrestrial mining companies have a lot to offer to one another in the future of the industry . This is evident through what DSI call a ‘ micro space ’ approach , a more sustainable and efficient method of approaching space travel that will largely reduce the operational costs .
The ‘ micro space ’ approach uses smaller technologies with big capabilities . Through the use of smaller equipment that is inexpensive to launch into space , DSI will take advantage of decades ’ worth of advances in information technology and computing to channel large computing power into smaller working systems .
“ Through the micro space approach , we are taking big functionalities and making them smaller and cheaper , all the while maintaining efficiency ,”
“ We could easily adapt these technologies into the mining sector , which would be a huge boost for the industry .” she said .
To boldly go In the movie Armageddon , Bruce Willis and his team of deep sea drillers were tasked by the world to fly into space and break apart an asteroid hurtling towards earth . Should deep sea miners be fitted for space suits ?
“ This project has captured the imagination of people from all around the world ,” said Meagan .
“ That being said , Prospector-X will be 100 % robotic .”
The decision to use robotic technology for the whole project is a simple one – expense .
“ It ’ s very expensive to send a human out to space . Life support , water , food these are things that artificial intelligence simply doesn ’ t need ,” said Meagan .
By using robots , DSI can alleviate potential communication issues . If an asteroid possesses a similar earth orbit , the asteroid will eventually be on the other side of the sun . If this was a manned vessel , communication latency will present huge complications .
“ We are building robots that possess the ability to make decisions independently so that we don ’ t have to rely on an operator at all times . Essentially they will
18 August 2016