California-based startup AstroForge is set to launch the first private mission to land on a celestial body beyond the Earth-moon system, marking a major milestone in space exploration and resource mining. Named “Vestri,” the mission aims to dock on a near-Earth asteroid, where it will analyze the composition of valuable metals, including cobalt, nickel, and platinum-group metals, which are critical for renewable energy and battery technology. These metals are increasingly scarce on Earth, making space mining an attractive long-term solution for resource sustainability.
Vestri, weighing around 200 kg, will be the company’s third mission, scheduled for a 2025 launch aboard Intuitive Machines’ third mission. The spacecraft will return to Earth with one to two tons of materials, provided the mission succeeds. The asteroid’s exact identity remains undisclosed, though AstroForge has hinted at targeting M-type asteroids, rich in metallic elements like nickel and iron.
AstroForge’s broader goal is to develop a cost-effective way to mine and refine metals in space, addressing the Earth’s dwindling supply of critical resources. The company’s vision aligns with the clean energy transition, which will increase the demand for materials like cobalt and nickel for batteries and infrastructure.
AstroForge has rapidly gained momentum, securing a total of $55 million in funding, including a recent $40 million Series A round led by Nova Threshold. This financial backing will support the company’s future missions and technological advancements. In addition to Vestri, AstroForge will launch Odin, its second mission, to deep space later this year.
While AstroForge’s mission to mine asteroids is groundbreaking, they are not alone in this endeavor. NASA’s Psyche mission, aimed at studying the metallic asteroid 16 Psyche, demonstrates growing global interest in space mining. If successful, Vestri will not only reshape the space mining industry but could also help secure a sustainable future for Earth’s critical resources.AstroForge Plans First-Ever Private Space Mining Mission to Near-Earth Asteroid
