The Detection and Management of Space Resources

Identifying space resources is essential to establish an off-Earth human presence on the Moon, Mars, and beyond. One method for determining the composition and mineralogy of planetary surfaces is thermal infrared emission spectroscopy. I investigated this technique as a potential tool to explore for magmatic Ni-Cu±PGE sulfide deposits by producing and measuring a 100% sulfide (pyrrhotite) sample derived from the Stillwater Complex. Pyrrhotite violates key assumptions used to calibrate thermal infrared emission data, making extraterrestrial sulfides “appear colder” than their actual physical temperature, and their spectra will contain a negative slope. To derive the absolute emissivity of graybody minerals more accurately, I developed a new measurement technique, which demonstrates that pyrrhotite is spectrally featureless in the mid-infrared and has a maximum emissivity of ~0.7. Magmatic sulfide deposits are commonly associated with silicates. Thus, emissivity spectra of sulfide/silicate mixtures were acquired to further understand how sulfide prospecting would be conducted on rocky bodies such as Mars. I demonstrate that as sulfide increases, the apparent brightness temperature decreases linearly and, if left unaccounted for, will contribute a negative spectral slope in their emissivity spectra. The presence of sulfide also reduces the magnitude of all the silicate’s diagnostic spectral features, which is linear as sulfide increases. A linear retrieval algorithm was also applied to the mixture spectra, demonstrating that sulfide could be detected at abundances of ≥10 modal %. The main resource being targeted for mining on the Moon is water ice. Thus, a mining map tool of the Lunar South Pole that incorporates temperature, illumination, Earth visibility, and slope data was developed to identify the most suitable locations for water ice mining and establishing bases for operations. The map is also used to assess the mining potential of the Artemis III candidate landing regions. Finally, space mining must be governed, but no framework has yet to be established. I propose a governance structure, notification system, contract system, best mining practices, and area-based environmental regulations to manage water ice mining activities. The Lunar Mining Map Tool’s block system is used as a spatial planning tool to administer the governance framework and facilitate management.