In October, NASA will launch a probe to a $10 quadrillion asteroid (3 photos)
Alas, the mineral resources of the Earth will one day run out, and humanity will inevitably follow them into space. In NASA to this are actively preparing now - the Psyche mission, which has been postponed several times ("Psyche") to the metal-rich asteroid Psyche will start in October this year. 
The flight will last five years and 10 months. The purpose of the mission is study of an asteroid with a diameter of more than 220 km. It will last at least 26 months. During this time, the space probe will study the chemical composition, strength gravity, density and structure of a celestial body. Psyche's uniqueness that it consists mainly of iron and nickel. In "earthly" prices experts estimate its cost at $ 10 quadrillion, which exceeds the cost of the entire current terrestrial economy ($110 trillion) by 90 times. 
According to scientists, the bottomless pantry closest to Earth mineral resources is the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, consisting of fragments of the "building material" of our solar systems. If you put it into "business", then for every inhabitant of the Earth it will be necessary mineral resources in the amount of $100 billion.
It is still unclear how to deliver all these untold riches to our planet, but several companies have already been created seeking opportunities to start commercial mining of asteroids. Mission Results "Psyche" will certainly help to move in this direction. 
