Planetary Resources: big space startup

[DocM]

Another major Commercial Space startup, and again we have world-class heavy hitters behind it. I'll post specifics when they go public. It could be anything from ID'ing new resources on Earth (unlikely with this crew) to asteroid mining.

NASA JPL asteroid mining study (PDF)....

James Cameron: you know!

Larry Page: Google

Eric Schmidt: Google

Ross Perot Jr: formerly Perot Systems (sold to Dell for $3.9B), real estate developer; son of H. Ross Perot, founder EDS and former US presidential candidate

Tom Jones, Ph.D: Planetary Scientist, NASA astronaut

Charles Simonyi: formerly Microsoft Chief Software Architect; CEO Intentional Software; flew Soyuz TMA 10 and Soyuz TMA-14

Peter H. Diamandis, M.D.: X-PRIZE Foundation

Chris Lewicki: former NASA Mars mission manager

VERY interesting interview with Peter Diamandis -

http://www.technolog.../27776/?ref=rss

Are Ross Perot Jr. and Google's Founders Launching a New Asteroid Mining Operation?

On Tuesday, a new company called Planetary Resources will announce its existence at the Charles Simonyi Space Gallery at The Museum of Flight in Seattle. It's not clear what the firm does, but its roster of backers includes Google co-founders Larry Page and Eric Schmidt, filmmaker James Cameron, former Microsoftie (and space philanthropist) Charles Simonyi, and Ross Perot Jr., son of the former presidential candidate.

According to the company's press release (below):

[...] the company will overlay two critical sectors ? space exploration and natural resources ? to add trillions of dollars to the global GDP. This innovative start-up will create a new industry and a new definition of ?natural resources?.

That sounds like asteroid mining. Because what else is there in space that we need here on earth? Certainly not a livable climate or a replacement for our dwindling supplies of oil.

Link (content not live yet): http://www.planetaryresources.com/

We're preparing for the unveiling of Planetary Resources, Inc. on April 24.

Join us to learn about our mission and how we plan to revolutionize current space exploration and help ensure humanity's prosperity for generations to come.

Please contact media@planetaryresources.com for more information and please follow us online for all the latest details.

Presser -

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 18, 2012

*** Media Alert *** Media Alert *** Media Alert ***

Space Exploration Company to Expand Earth's Resource Base

WHAT: Join visionary Peter H. Diamandis, M.D.; leading commercial space entrepreneur Eric Anderson; former NASA Mars mission manager Chris Lewicki; and planetary scientist & veteran NASA astronaut Tom Jones, Ph.D. on Tuesday, April 24 at 10:30 a.m. PDT in Seattle, or via webcast, as they unveil a new space venture with a mission to help ensure humanity's prosperity.

Supported by an impressive investor and advisor group, including Google?s Larry Page & Eric Schmidt, Ph.D.; film maker & explorer James Cameron; Chairman of Intentional Software Corporation and Microsoft?s former Chief Software Architect Charles Simonyi, Ph.D.; Founder of Sherpalo and Google Board of Directors founding member K. Ram Shriram; and Chairman of Hillwood and The Perot Group Ross Perot, Jr., the company will overlay two critical sectors ? space exploration and natural resources ? to add trillions of dollars to the global GDP. This innovative start-up will create a new industry and a new definition of ?natural resources?.

The news conference will be held at the Museum of Flight in Seattle on Tuesday, April 24 at 10:30 a.m. PDT and available online via webcast.

WHEN: Tuesday, April 24, 10:30 a.m. PDT

WHO: Charles Simonyi, Ph.D., Space Tourist, Planetary Resources, Inc. Investor; Eric Anderson, Co-Founder & Co-Chairman, Planetary Resources, Inc.; Peter H. Diamandis, M.D., Co-Founder & Co-Chairman, Planetary Resources, Inc.; Chris Lewicki, President & Chief Engineer, Planetary Resources, Inc.

Tom Jones, Ph.D., Planetary Scientist, Veteran NASA Astronaut & Planetary Resources, Inc. Advisor

WHERE: Charles Simonyi Space Gallery at The Museum of Flight

9404 East Marginal Way South

Seattle, WA 98108

Event will also be streamed online.

[neoadorable]

amazed there are no replies to this...thanks for posting it Doc, incredible news. I love the whole RDA/Weyland-Yutani feel this enterprise has...though they're trying to make it like a friendly version of that. But yes, we know what Jim Cameron has in mind!

Anyway, awesome news and i believe they will also help push The Great Effort forward :woot:

[DocM]

Sounds like they're going to 3D print some of their satellites structure -

http://spaceref.biz/2013/06/3d-systems-and-planetary-resources-announce-investment-and-collaboration.html

3D Systems and Planetary Resources Announce Investment and Collaboration

3D Systems and Planetary Resources, Inc. today announced that 3D Systems has joined Planetary Resources' core group of investors and will be a collaborative partner in assisting Planetary Resources to develop and manufacture components of its ARKYD Series of spacecraft using its advanced 3D printing and digital manufacturing solutions.

Planetary Resources already has multiple contracts to develop miniaturized and responsive technologies with far-reaching applications to space assessment, accessibility and resource recovery with a primary goal to mine near-Earth asteroids for raw materials, ranging from elements used in rocket fuel to precious metals, through the development of innovative and cost-effective robotic exploration technologies. The companies see additive manufacturing technologies as enabling to the development of future space infrastructure.

"We are excited to work very closely with Planetary Resources' engineering team to use advanced 3D printing and manufacturing technologies to increase functionality while decreasing the cost of their ARKYD spacecraft," said Avi Reichental, Chief Executive Officer, 3D Systems. "In success, we will create the smartphone of spacecraft and transform what has been an old-style, labor-intensive process, into something very scalable and affordable that will democratize access to space, the data collected from space and off-Earth resources for scientists and the public. We are delighted to join the Planetary Resources team."

Peter H. Diamandis, M.D., Co-Founder and Co-Chairman, Planetary Resources, Inc. said, "We are absolutely thrilled to partner with 3D Systems, the world's pioneer and leader in 3D printing and advanced manufacturing, as we pursue our vision to expand the resource base beyond Earth. 3D Systems has a long history of inventing, advancing and democratizing manufacturing - and our vision of mass producing the ARKYD 100, 200 and 300 line will greatly benefit from their thinking and technology."

In connection with this investment, the 3D Systems announced the formation of 3D Systems Ventures, a new investment arm that will identify, seek and manage its seed investments in promising enterprises that will benefit from or be powered by the company's leading technologies. The venture arm will be headed by Hugh Evans from T. Rowe Price who will join 3D Systems as the Vice President Corporate Ventures.

[IsItPluggedIn]

Hey Doc, have these guys done anything yet? 

 

I see they are developing a telescope and a test craft (A3) which is to be sent up "Soon" Spring 2014. 

 

It looks like the team aren't really invested in it, they started a kickstart program for the telescope for 1 million, what is 1 million to the list of people in the first post.

 

Planetary Resources, Inc., the asteroid mining company, will advance its mission to mine resource-rich near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) by launching the first in its Arkyd Series of spacecraft ? the A3 ? into low-Earth orbit as early as April 2014.  The A3 is the Arkyd 100?s technology demonstrator, and the mission will provide for early testing and serve to validate the spacecraft?s core technology and software in the development of the program.

 

Planetary Resources is under contract with NanoRacks, through its Space Act Agreement with NASA, to release the A3 from the International Space Station?s Kibo airlock. ?We are excited for the opportunity that this rapid launch option provides us to begin testing the avionics and control systems of the Arkyd Series spacecraft,? said Chris Lewicki, President and Chief Engineer, Planetary Resources, Inc.

He continued, ?The A3 test flight will enable the Arkyd-100 Series to be the most advanced spacecraft per kilogram that has ever been built. The A3 is a sophisticated yet cost-effective means to test technologies supporting the follow-on Arkyd 100 missions in 2015.? Around the size and weight of a small desk-top computer, the Arkyd 100 provides a compact and capable platform for NEA detection and characterization. The A3 test spacecraft, at just 10 lbs (4 Kg), about one-third the weight of an Arkyd-100, offers an even more compact vehicle for early testing for many of Arkyd 100?s key functions.

Planetary Resources? long-term mission is to mine NEAs for raw materials, ranging from elements used in rocket fuel to precious metals.  The Arkyd-100 Series will be used in low-Earth orbit to assist in selecting the first priority targets for the company?s follow-on expeditions.

?We believe that the best testbed for the Arkyd is space itself,? said Chris Voorhees, Vice President of Spacecraft Development, Planetary Resources, Inc. ?Deploying the A3 from the International Space Station provides an efficient and cost-effective way to test many of the new technologies that we?ve developed for its future asteroid prospecting platforms. The team is excited about getting A3 some flight time on orbit next year

[DocM]

They achieved the $1m and got a lot of PR for the effort, which was the main idea.

Planetary Resources has gotten a lot of attention and is working with NASA on a few fronts. Their first focus is getting their first few telescopes up. They have a good plan, and this 3D printing of sat parts will make it a lit cheaper.

[DocM]

http://www.planetaryresources.com/2013/06/planetary-resources-prepares-for-launch-of-the-arkyd-series-of-spacecraft/

Planetary Resources Prepares for Launch of the Arkyd Series of Spacecraft

Planetary Resources, Inc., the asteroid mining company, will advance its mission to mine resource-rich near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) by launching the first in its Arkyd Series of spacecraft ? the A3 ? into low-Earth orbit as early as April 2014. The A3 is the Arkyd 100?s technology demonstrator, and the mission will provide for early testing and serve to validate the spacecraft?s core technology and software in the development of the program.

Planetary Resources is under contract with NanoRacks, through its Space Act Agreement with NASA, to release the A3 from the International Space Station?s Kibo airlock. ?We are excited for the opportunity that this rapid launch option provides us to begin testing the avionics and control systems of the Arkyd Series spacecraft,? said Chris Lewicki, President and Chief Engineer, Planetary Resources, Inc.

He continued, ?The A3 test flight will enable the Arkyd-100 Series to be the most advanced spacecraft per kilogram that has ever been built. The A3 is a sophisticated yet cost-effective means to test technologies supporting the follow-on Arkyd 100 missions in 2015.? Around the size and weight of a small desk-top computer, the Arkyd 100 provides a compact and capable platform for NEA detection and characterization. The A3 test spacecraft, at just 10 lbs (4 Kg), about one-third the weight of an Arkyd-100, offers an even more compact vehicle for early testing for many of Arkyd 100?s key functions.

Planetary Resources? long-term mission is to mine NEAs for raw materials, ranging from elements used in rocket fuel to precious metals. The Arkyd-100 Series will be used in low-Earth orbit to assist in selecting the first priority targets for the company?s follow-on expeditions.

?We believe that the best testbed for the Arkyd is space itself,? said Chris Voorhees, Vice President of Spacecraft Development, Planetary Resources, Inc. ?Deploying the A3 from the International Space Station provides an efficient and cost-effective way to test many of the new technologies that we?ve developed for its future asteroid prospecting platforms. The team is excited about getting A3 some flight time on orbit next year.?

>

[Beittil]

Ding ding ding... thread necromancy alert

 

These guys have been getting a bit more talkative on social media lately and last night they had their Arkyd-6 spacecraft launched as a secondary on a PSLV launch out of India! Lo and behold this just dripped in:

 

 

 

[DocM]

There's a lot of under reported work going on among the smallsats community, and critical mass is very close.

 

Ex: both NASA and DoD are talking about buying imaging and radar-sat services from these constellations, and the satellites are often the size of a cracker box. This in place of $billion Battlestar satellites.

[Unobscured Vision]

Yup to all of the above.