Space Mining

The pros and cons of resource use in space 

Module details

  • Offered to 2nd Year students in Spring term
  • Mondays 16:00-18:00
  • Planned delivery: On campus (South Kensington)
  • 1-term module worth 5 ECTS  
  • Available to eligible students as part of I-Explore 

The use of space resources will transform human space exploration and create a new economy. In this module, you will explore the legal, technical and economic basis for resource use in space. You will be introduced to the potential target resources (e.g., oxygen), consider the legal aspects of using space resources, and propose a space resource extraction operation. The economic case for your proposed operation will be determined. You will address the challenges of developing new technology for space as well as the potential crossover into terrestrial resource use.  

This module will teach you to evaluate critically the feasibility of space mining from a legal, technical and economic perspective. You will learn about current activity in this field, using this knowledge to identify limitations in technology, and to propose creative solutions. This module will encourage discussion within and between groups, and you will communicate outcomes to students and experts in the field. 

Please note: The information on this module description is indicative. The module may undergo minor modifications before the start of next academic year. 

Accordian

Learning outcomes

By the end of this module, you will better be able to: 

  • Evaluate critically the feasibility of space mining from a legal, technical and economic perspective 
  • Identify limitations in knowledge and technology and propose creative solutions 
  • Communicate effectively the outcomes as a group to other students and experts 
  • Reflect on the potential for the transfer of ideas and technology to terrestrial resources 

Indicative core content

This 10-week module comprises ten 2-hour sessions that explore the field of space resource mining from multiple angles. The course is divided into three main areas of study: space resource law and ethics, technical aspects, and the economic feasibility of space resource mining, including potential benefits to terrestrial resources.

Throughout the module, you'll engage in two group assignments. The first involves developing a legal framework for space resources, while the second requires creating an interactive poster for a novel space resource-oriented company that your group develops. The first lecture will introduce you to the broad topic of space resources and mining, and you'll be assigned to your groups for the remainder of the module.

Subsequent lectures will be led by industry experts working actively in the field of space resources. These lecture sessions will explore a range of topics related to space resource mining, including technologies, ethics, law, business strategy, potential terrestrial spinoffs, and sustainability. For some sessions, you'll be assigned materials to study before the lecture, and you'll have the opportunity to discuss the material with lecturer in the first part of the session. You'll then break into groups to apply the concepts to an assigned tasks. The final session will consist of a live poster session, where each group will share their company idea, and receive questions and feedback from the audience. By the end of the module, you'll have a comprehensive understanding of space resource mining and its potential impacts and benefits.

Learning and teaching approach

This module will involve active and individual learning, alongside group tasks and some student-led learning. Examples and case-studies will be discussed, and you will work on your projects in small groups before delivering your final interactive poster presentation to other students and an industry expert. 

The legal framework assignment will be assessed by module leaders; this will be returned within two weeks. Informal feedback on the interactive poster will be given by module leaders and by peers on completion of the technical aspects of resource extraction. Formal feedback for the final interactive poster (including the economic case) will be given within one week of completion. 

Assessment

  • Coursework: Legal Framework document - short written document submitted as a group (30%)  
  • Practical: Technical and Economic Interactive Poster Presentation submitted as a group (70%) 

Key information

  • Requirements: It is compulsory to take an I-Explore module during your degree (you’ll take an I-Explore module in either your 2nd or 3rd year, depending on your department). You are expected to attend all classes and undertake approximately 105 hours of independent study in total during the module. Independent study includes for example reading and preparation for classes, researching and writing coursework assignments, project work and preparing for other assessments 
  • I-Explore modules are worth 5 ECTS credit towards your degree; to receive these you will have to pass the module. The numerical mark that you obtain will not be included in the calculation of your final degree result, but it will appear on your transcript  
  • This module is designed as an undergraduate Level 6 course 
  • This module is offered by the Department of Earth Science and Engineering