ROCK and ROLL: Striking a Chord Between Terrestrial Mining Advancements and Space Resource Utilization Opportunities
Day: Thursday 2 October
Time: 13:45 - 14:45 AEST
Location: Parkside 2
This GNF event aims to spotlight cutting-edge advancements in technology and innovation shaping both terrestrial resource exploration and space-based mining. It will bring together leading experts from around the world to explore how global collaboration can accelerate efforts to prospect, extract, and utilize resources beyond Earth. The session will highlight how space technologies can deliver transformative benefits to the terrestrial resource sector. By presenting real-world applications, cross-sector collaboration, and visionary strategies for sustainable exploration, the event will be both informative and inspiring for those seeking to bridge space and terrestrial innovations. Moderated by Jun SHIMADA, this GNF event puts its focus on what could be done to realize the situation where mining technology and related business architecture development on Earth would be transferred to lunar exploration from the standpoint of technical practicability and economic viability. The session features three key parts: highlights from leading experts in terrestrial mining industry and in-situ resource utilization (ISRU); a dynamic panel discussion exploring strategies to attract deeper investment in ISRU; and an open Q&A to engage emerging space nations and startups in this evolving frontier. The panel features experts from diverse backgrounds including government, space agencies, industry peak bodies, and academia who will share their insights on policymaking, space economy, and technology roadmapping. They will discuss the feasibility of in-space resource utilization from both technical and commercial perspectives, as well as long-term strategies for sustainable and resilient space exploration through international cooperation. The Q&A session will engage the audience through real-time questions and provide live feedback from the panel.
Moderator
Speakers
Angel ABBUD-MADRID
Director, Space Resources Program, Colorado School of Mines
United States