Equipped with an optical camera, Odin will capture images of the asteroid and transmit them back to Earth. AstroForge is betting that 2022 OB5 is an M-type asteroid, meaning it could be rich in platinum. If confirmed, future missions could aim to extract and refine these valuable materials for use on Earth.
The financial aspect of space exploration has long been a barrier, but AstroForge aims to disrupt the industry with cost-effective missions. The OSIRIS-REx mission, NASA’s asteroid-sampling project, cost over $770 million and returned only 122 grams of asteroid material. In contrast, AstroForge’s reconnaissance mission will cost less than $7 million.
In total, the company has raised approximately $60 million, a fraction of what was once required for even a small satellite launch just a decade ago.
Challenges
The space company has faced resistance from the scientific community. Initially, the company declined to disclose its target asteroid, sparking concerns that observatories might misidentify Odin as a hazardous object. After pressure from the astronomy community, AstroForge confirmed in January that its mission was directed at 2022 OB5.
