Astronomy 🔭 (other space stuff too)

ODaily · September 5, 2025, 2:06am

Totally random here…

I ran the numbers on the Powerball Jackpot (for fun), and determined that I could set myself up comfortably and still easily have 425 million left in cash.

So I tasked ChatGPT with planning a one off mission with the following assumptions. Expected high risk, lose the whole cashpot type situation. Base the budget on getting as much engineering student support, and people working “for the vision” as possible. A.K.A. “Nerdgasm” of professionals. Leverage maximum frugality and risk tolerance to produce maximum results. This is an attempt to retrieve as much usuable space resources as possible and park it somewhere we can later access.

So yeah, I told the A.I. to fetch a space rock.

After a lot of back and forth, it settled into this.

ChatGPT:

Private Asteroid Capture Mission Concept

Target: Near-Earth Object 2006 RH120
Budget: ≈ $275M–$425M (within lottery-funded budget)
Goal: Capture a small asteroid and park it safely in a Distant Retrograde Orbit (DRO) around the Moon for future access and resource use.

Why 2006 RH120?

Tiny “minimoon” discovered in 2006–2007, only 2–4 m in size (5–30 tonnes mass).

Already demonstrated temporary capture by Earth.

Classified as an Easily Retrievable Object (ERO) — requires only ~58 m/s of Δv if timed right, far lower than most asteroids.

Likely rocky/metallic, suitable as a first step toward resource utilization.

Concept

Launch a Solar Electric Propulsion (SEP) Tug

Ion/Hall thrusters (Dawn-class heritage).

10–20 kW solar arrays.

400–1000 kg xenon propellant.

Rendezvous and Capture

Approach slowly using low-thrust trajectory.

Deploy net & bag system with tethers and damping reels.

Secure asteroid, stabilize rotation.

Transfer to Lunar DRO

Use low-energy manifold trajectories (natural orbital highways) to minimize fuel.

Tow the asteroid into a stable orbit around the Moon, accessible for future missions.

Budget Breakdown (frugal, high-risk tolerance)

SEP Tug Design & Build: $100–180M

Capture Hardware & Testing: $10–30M

Launch (Falcon Heavy / Starship): $60–150M

Mission Operations & Ground Support: $25–60M

Integration, Testing, Contingencies: $80M

Total: $275–425M

Why This Works

Focuses on results, not science samples — first step toward usable space resources.

Uses proven, flight-tested technology (SEP, net capture).

Takes advantage of unique orbital dynamics to keep propulsion demands low.

Fits within a private, one-time funded mission with volunteer/low-cost contributions from engineers and students.

Summary:
With ~$400M, existing ion-drive tech, and careful timing, we can capture a small asteroid and park it near the Moon. This would be the first privately funded asteroid retrieval mission, paving the way for real resource utilization in space.

I’m not gonna win the lottery, but planning this was sure funner than planning how many mansions I’d need to store all my cars and super model girlfriends in.