Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

Don't we? We push objects from Earth to GEO all the time. If they could get their fuel along the way, it seems like that would reduce the cost of sending a satellite up to GEO.

It would also lighten the load of the launch, meaning we could put much heavier things in orbit.

Getting that fuel to objects in orbit will require a significant infrastructure, and huge up front costs, but someone clearly sees a calculus that results in a net savings over time.

If we can get that infrastructure built, it becomes much more reasonable to start looking at other things near Earth as potential resource sites -- asteroids in particular. All sorts of metals are out there in ahem astronomical quantities.

I see this as an exercise in improving what we're currently doing (let's get some gas stations installed between home and orbit), followed by innovation/new industries.



Consider applying for YC's Fall 2026 batch! Applications are open till July 27.

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: