A demonstration of the ARM setup. Satellite, robotics and solar propulsion engine sold separately. (Image courtesy of NASA.)
In the last 5 years, the idea of space mining and asteroid collection has transformed from being rooted in science fiction to becoming a reality. Although there are a number of private enterprises on the hunt for the untold riches hidden among the stars, NASA has also showed in interest in developing the technology required to capture asteroids and safely and accurately maneuver them through space.
That’s precisely the aim of ARM.
According to NASA, ARM is a robotic mission that will “visit a near-Earth asteroid, collect a multi-ton boulder from its surface, and redirect it into a stable orbit around the moon.” Once secured in its orbit around the moon astronauts will explore the captured rock and return samples of the alien soil to Earth for study.
(Where these astronauts might come from hasn’t been made clear by NASA. Presumably, they’d be shuttled to lunar orbit from Earth or the ISS, but wouldn’t it be more interesting if they were living in a Moon colony?)
NASA will demo that tractor beams can actually work and can be useful.
As of this writing, NASA has stated that it expects the robotic portion of the ARM project to launch in December of 2021. Five years later, astronauts will be slated to inspect the asteroid as it orbits around the Moon.
For more on capturing asteroids, find out how tiny spacecraft could play a pivotal role in planetary defense.