Nasa takes one giant leap towards mining minerals from the moon

US space agency has started accepting proposals from private companies to help design and build lunar prospecting robots

This image, taken 20 July 1969 from Apollo 11 and recently posted to Nasa's Instagram account, shows the Earth rising over the limb of the moon much as the Harvest Moon does from our planetary perspective (NASA)

In a giant leap that seems to have come straight from the world of science fiction, Nasa today began accepting applications from private companies who want to launch mining operations on the moon.

As part of a scheme that was unveiled in late January, the US space agency is inviting offers from potential business partners to help design and build lunar prospecting robots, the first major step required to explore Earth’s natural satellite for valuable resources.

Nasa has been forced to set up the Lunar Cargo Transportation and Landing by Soft Touchdown programme (Catalyst) on a skeleton budget, because the US government has refused to provide any funding.

That sets it apart from the agency’s deals with other private companies to deliver supplies to the International Space Station – which are backed by public coffers.

If you have a novel idea on the best way to scour the moon for minerals, and a few billion pounds going spare, Nasa is accepting proposals from today until 17 March, 2014, according to reports from The Verge.

Jason Crusan, director of Nasa's advanced exploration systems, told the AFP news agency mining the moon was far from just the stuff of fantasy.

He said recent missions had already revealed evidence of water and other substances of interest on the moon’s surface. “But to understand the extent and accessibility of these resources, we need to reach the surface and explore up close,” he said.

“Commercial lunar landing capabilities could help prospect for and utilize these resources,“ he added, which could allow for both commercial and research activities.

“As Nasa pursues an ambitious plan for humans to explore an asteroid and Mars, US industry will create opportunities for Nasa to advance new technologies on the moon,” said Greg Williams, a top Nasa official.

Scientists still face a rocky road ahead before they can realise the dream of mining in space, however. A Harvard research paper published just last month suggested that the vast majority of near-Earth asteroids would be unsuitable for mining on a commercial scale.

And the question of who actually owns the moon – and therefore the profits from mining it – remains unresolved. With China and the US already in conflict over the former’s attempts to land a rover on the moon, we could yet see the world involved in a lunar land-grab in years to come.