What are they wanting to mine on the moon?

One reason the US has taken such an interest in mining the Moon is to acquire and control a strong supply of rare earth metals – China controls around 95\% of the world’s production of rare earths.

What would happen if we mined the moon?

As the material is moved from the Moon to Earth this total mass doesn’t change. So mining the Moon wouldn’t disrupt it’s orbit, but it will probably disrupt our own resources because the amount of energy we need to get large quantities of Lunar material to Earth is huge. It’s just not profitable.

Are there valuable minerals on the moon?

There are other valuable minerals on the moon. Rare Earth Metals (REM) are a good example with NASA already looking at innovation in mining industry technology for use on the moon. Concentrations of the most valuable mineral and resource deposits may well drive the location of our future moon bases.

Who owns mineral rights on the moon?

Joseph Resnick, Dr. Timothy R. O’Neill and Guy Cramer (ROC-Resnick/O’Neill/Cramer team) who have acquired the mineral rights for 95\% of the side of the moon that faces Earth, the polar regions and 50\% of the far side of the moon.

What minerals are on Mars?

Based on these data sources, scientists think that the most abundant chemical elements in the Martian crust are silicon, oxygen, iron, magnesium, aluminium, calcium, and potassium. These elements are major components of the minerals comprising igneous rocks.

What minerals are found on moon?

The Moon is dominantly composed of silicate minerals. Typically, plagioclase is by far the most abundant and there commonly are substantial amounts of pyroxenes and olivines. Together, these three mineral groups usually, but not always, make up >95\% of the crystalline material in the rock and the regolith.

Is mining the moon safe?

It’s highly abrasive, so it wears down surfaces and damages seals. It’s dark and clingy, so coats anything that’s taken outside, and it’s toxic as well, posing a health hazard to any astronaut who inhales quantities of the stuff. “The dust is one of the greatest unsolved problems in returning to the Moon,” says Gorman.

Is there precious metals on the moon?

Earth’s moon is more metal than scientists imagined. NASA’s prolific Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) found rich evidence of iron and titanium oxides under the surface of the moon, which may show a close connection with Earth’s early history.

What minerals are found on the moon?

Elemental composition Elements known to be present on the lunar surface include, among others, oxygen (O), silicon (Si), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), aluminium (Al), manganese (Mn) and titanium (Ti). Among the more abundant are oxygen, iron and silicon. The oxygen content is estimated at 45\% (by weight).

Is mining on the moon legal?

The United States enacted a law in 2015 granting companies the property rights to resources they mine in outer space, but no such laws exist in the international community.

Who does the moon belong to?

“Outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, is not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by means of use or occupation or by any other means.” Basically, the treaty says space belongs to everyone.