Asteroid mining could slash carbon costs, but experts warn of new risks in space
- Asteroid mining could extract metals and rare earth elements from space, potentially reducing some environmental costs on Earth.
- One study estimated mining platinum from asteroids could produce about 150 kg of CO₂ per kg, versus 40,000 kg on Earth.
- Experts caution these estimates do not include the full environmental cost of exploration, launches and future mining operations.
- More space launches could increase orbital traffic and space debris, while mining may also alter asteroids in unpredictable ways.
Source: hindustantimes.com
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