Platinum group metals (PGMs) are the primary economic target for asteroid mining. They occur as trace inclusions in iron meteorites and are concentrated in metallic asteroid cores. PGMs are worth $30-100K/kg, making even small quantities extremely valuable. AstroForge specifically targets PGM extraction from M-type asteroids.
Formula
Various (Pt, Pd, Ir, Os, Ru, Rh compounds)
Crystal System
Cubic (most)
Density
10-22 g/cm³ (extremely dense)
Occurrence
Trace in M-type asteroids; found in iron meteorites as inclusions; concentrated in asteroid cores
Significance
Highest value-per-kg space resource; critical for catalysis, electronics, fuel cells; primary economic driver for asteroid mining
Source
Iron meteorite analysis, Psyche mission spectroscopy