Ore Processing in Space

Ore processing in space involves extracting valuable materials, like metals, from raw asteroid or lunar rocks. Because bringing everything back to Earth is expensive, processing in space saves resources and supports space missions. The process includes sorting, crushing, and heating the rocks to separate metals such as iron, nickel, or platinum. These materials can be used to build spacecraft, infrastructure, or be sent back to Earth. Advances in miniaturized, automated machinery are making space ore processing more feasible, paving the way for sustainable extraterrestrial mining and economic activity beyond our planet.