Extracting Pt from outer space

   Working in fuel cell catalysis is sometimes little frustrating as the increasing cost of platinum group metals rises the total cost of fuel cell catalysts a bit high. However the recent venture has been initiated by different agencies (Government-aided and non-Government) to extract platinum from outer space. Now that’s exciting news, however it is quite obvious that the initial investment must be of several billion dollars. Will it be worth of  amount of metal going to be extracted?

      What about the property right? As stated in the United Nations’ space laws,”  The exploration and use of outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, shall be carried out for the benefit and in the interests of all countries, irrespective of their degree of economic or scientific development, and shall be the province of all mankind.”  

The following links can give more information:

Check the current cost of platinum: http://www.monex.com/prods/platinum_chart.html

Caltech initiative: http://kiss.caltech.edu/study/asteroid/asteroid_final_report.pdf

Sources: http://www.planetaryresources.com/

Controversy: http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2012/05/opinion-asteroid-mining/

Law: http://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/SpaceLaw/gares/html/gares_21_2222.html