There are currently no space-based processing plants to produce metals, plastics or any other construction materials, either for industrial operation, or even for demonstration or pilot testing. In saying this it is important to note that there are no technical reasons why this is not the case, only financial; and these financial constraints, both in initial launch costs, and in available customers, will significantly improve in the near future. For any company wanting to develop such systems there are significant R&D (Research & Development) time requirements to validate untested and unproven space-based systems (See Design Risks), which means that companies cannot wait for the economics to improve and then immediately launch – they must validate the design before economics improve – and the best time to do this is right now. The first company to successfully design and operate such systems will have a significant first-mover advantage, particularly in IP (Intellectual Property), which in itself will be very valuable in the future as Space-based systems only grow.
- Process Simulation of regolith and ore processing systems to produce required raw products, with further processing to produce required metals and plastics in usable forms, for in-space construction,
- Development of multiple simulation scenarios as required to ensure safe process design and future operation,
- Mineralogical, thermodynamic and process chemistry determination,
- Test-work and piloting scope development,
- Development of total plant energy and radiator (or other) removal requirements, including specification of various energy sources, such as photovoltaic cells, solar mirrors and nuclear power,
- Expert development / review of all process design deliverables, including (but not limited to) design basis, design criteria, detailed equipment design, calculations, PFD’s, PIDs, option-selection,
- Expert development / review of asteroid selection and specification, including (but not limited to) total Delta-V, diameter, class, rotational speed, 3D geometry, orbital period, round-trip access, distance from sun,
- Expert development / review of mining locations on the Moon and Mars, including (but not limited to) known / estimated mineralogy and ore / ice deposits, access to other life support / energy requirements, accessibility by spacecraft,
- Strong Health, Safety, Environment, Quality and Community emphasis in all design matters, including (but not limited to) the development / review of HAZOP’s, HAZID, ENVID, risk analysis, environmental release analysis,
- Expertise from multiple projects for the production of iron / nickel based production using the Mond / Carbonyl and Ti / Mg / Al alloys using the FCC Cambridge process, plus the utilization of specific catalysts to optimize the potential production of high molecular mass organic polymers, on asteroids, the Moon and Mars.
Also be sure to download our Capabilities Statement and Quality Policy (which includes our Mission and Values).