Here Comes Another Asteroid Mining, 3D Printing, Robotic, Start-up

Here's the press release via Equities.com:
Commercial Asteroid Hunters announce plans for new Robotic Exploration Fleet

Deep Space Industries announced today that it will send a fleet of asteroid-prospecting spacecraft out into the solar system to hunt for resources to accelerate space development to benefit Earth. These “FireFly” spacecraft utilize low-cost cubesat components and get discounted delivery to space by ride-sharing on the launch of larger communications satellites.

“This is the first commercial campaign to explore the small asteroids that pass by Earth,” said Deep Space Chairman Rick Tumlinson (who signed up the world’s first space tourist, led the team that took over the Mir space station, was a Founding Trustee of the X Prize, and Founded Orbital Outfitters, the world’s first commercial space suit company.) “Using low cost technologies, and combining the legacy of our space program with the innovation of today’s young high tech geniuses, we will do things that would have been impossible just a few years ago.”...MORE

 From The Register:

Asteroid-mining 'FireFlys' will be ready for action by 2015, vows space firm

...Key to the success of the project will be DSI's patent-pending 3D printing technology, dubbed the Microgravity Foundry. He said the tech will make it possible to extract pure nickel blocks from asteroids. The process sees powdered nickel ore fed into the system, which is then formed into units of solid metal, and can also be used to make tools and replacement parts.

"The MicroGravity Foundry is the first 3D printer that creates high-density high-strength metal components even in zero gravity," said Stephen Covey, a co-Founder of DSI and inventor of the process, in an emailed statement. "Other metal 3D printers sinter powdered metal, which requires a gravity field and leaves a porous structure, or they use low-melting point metals with less strength."...MORE

Previously:

Dec. 27, 2012
Asteroid Mining: "A Start-Up Sees a Gold Rush Among the Stars"

April 22, 2012

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

Feb 6, 2012

X Prize Founder Wants to Mine Asteroids

Oct. 21, 2011

Indian-born Entrepreneur and Billionaire Moves Forward on Plans to Mine the Moon

We've been following these plans at a distance, so to speak.