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.”