Misael Cabrera testifies during congressional hearing on space mining
Misael Cabrera joins S. Walter Richey, professor of corporate law at the University of Minnesota Law School, Starpath CEO Saurav Shroff and Steven Place, senior policy adviser for the aerospace company AstroForge, to speak on the future of space mining during a congressional hearing.
On February 25, 2025, University of Arizona School of Mining and Mineral Resources Director Misael Cabrera participated in a congressional hearing on space mining. The hearing titled “Full Blast: Contrasting Momentum in the Space Mining Economy to the Terrestrial Mining Regulatory Morass” featured testimony from academic experts and industry executives on issues related to mining in space and on Earth.
The moon and asteroids are thought to be rich in valuable resources like cobalt, nickel and platinum; however, obtaining these minerals is not yet financially or technically feasible. Cabrera testified that investment in scientific advancement will be crucial to the future space mining endeavors and that the University of Arizona is prepared to bring solutions in these realms.
“Spacing mining provides an exciting alternative to the regulatory and social challenges faced by the mining sector on Earth,” he said. “The University of Arizona is well-positioned to respond the emerging space mining landscape.”